The Sacred Heart Pioneers (15-11, 8-5 NEC) will be at the Steinberg Wellness Center to clash against the LIU Sharks (12-13, 7-5 NEC) in a NEC matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15, 2020.
Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. LIU Sharks Betting Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Sharks defeated the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 90-74, while the Pioneers beat the Bryant Bulldogs 74-65.
Sacred Heart dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.5 (better than their season average of 17.4) and a free throw rate of 0.323 (above their season average of 0.247). For those same stats, Bryant was 16.2 and 0.226, respectively. Meanwhile, LIU’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Central Connecticut State. The Sharks had a rate of 0.298 (above their season average of 0.230), while the Blue Devils posted a mark of 0.041 (below their season average of 0.191). Ty Flowers had a good outing for LIU, contributing 21 points and 13 rebounds. Sacred Heart received a boost from E.J. Anosike, who put up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Sharks held the advantage in this series last year, taking two out of three contests. In the most recent contest, LIU won 71-62. LIU launched 24 three pointers, making 11 of them (45.8 percent). Sacred Heart was, on the other hand, just 2-19 (10.5 percent). This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
It will be a matchup of opposite styles as the fast-breaking Sharks (ranked 18th in the nation in possessions per game) will look to push the more half-court-oriented Pioneers (154th in possessions per game). Moreover, the Pioneers, who rank 27th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 percent), will go head-to-head against the Sharks, who rank 306th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.1 percent).
Sacred Heart at LIU Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – LIU, ATS Winner – LIU, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Sacred Heart ranks 13th in rebounds per game (40.3) while LIU ranks 277th in rebounds allowed per game (39.3).
- The Pioneers rank 57th in blocks per game (4.0) while the Sharks rank 106th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- LIU ranks 98th in steals per game (6.7) while Sacred Heart ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- The Sharks rank 61st in assists per game (14.5) while the Pioneers rank 215th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
- LIU ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (28.4) while Sacred Heart ranks 123rd in three pointers allowed per game (21.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Pioneers have scored an average of 68.2 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.0 points per game (4.5 below their season average).
- The Sharks have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. On the season, LIU has defeated opponents by an average of 0.2 points.
