BYU Cougars vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs ATS Prediction 12/29/18

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The 19th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-1) will be at home in Humphrey Coliseum when they go head-to-head against the BYU Cougars (8-6). Action begins at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018, and can be seen on ESPNU.

BYU Cougars at Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Odds

In their last contest, the Bulldogs easily got past the Austin Peay Governors, 95-67, while the Cougars fell to the seventh-ranked Nevada Wolf Pack, 86-70.

The Bulldogs had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.633 vs. 0.415) and had a much better turnover percentage (14.3 vs. 20.4). BYU, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.420 vs. 0.439). Mississippi State was lifted by Aric Holman, who recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds. Yoeli Childs fueled BYU with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cougars’ Childs has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Quinndary Weatherspoon has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs currently rank 20th in offensive efficiency, while the Cougars rank 223rd in defensive efficiency. It will also be a battle of conflicting tempos as the quick-paced Cougars rank 29th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Bulldogs rank 311th.

BYU Cougars vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick

College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Mississippi State, ATS Winner – Mississippi State, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • Mississippi State ranks 15th in rebounds allowed per game (29.9) while BYU ranks 209th (38.6).
  • The Bulldogs rank 29th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Cougars rank 98th (3.1).
  • Mississippi State ranks 14th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while BYU ranks 45th (5.6).
  • The Bulldogs rank 47th in three pointers allowed per game (20.0) while the Cougars rank 164th (24.1).
  • Mississippi State ranks 41st in assists per game (16.1) while BYU ranks 157th in assists allowed per game (14.3).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 80.6 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.6 points per game (10.5 below their season average).
  • The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 12.8 for the season.