The Central Michigan Chippewas (3-1) and the Cal Poly Mustangs (3-2) face off in the Great Alaska Shootout at Alaska Airlines Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 149 points with neither team favored. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24, 2017.
Cal Poly Mustangs vs. Central Michigan Chippewas ATS Preview
The Mustangs beat the Charleston Cougars in their last outing, 73-68. With 17 points and six assists, Donovan Fields put together a good performance for Cal Poly. Cal Poly dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.196 (above their season average of 0.142) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 29.0 (above their season average of 28.3). Charleston was 0.158 and 25.0, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Chippewas last matchup, they topped the Sam Houston State Bearkats, 71-60. Central Michigan rallied around Shawn Roundtree, who was the games leading scorer with 20 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Central Michigan played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.308 (above their season average of 0.228) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.529 (below their season average of 0.569). For those same stats, Sam Houston State was 0.048 and 0.460, respectively.
The high-powered offense of Central Michigan will square off against the porous defense of Cal Poly. Dating back to last season, the Chippewas rank 23rd in offensive efficiency, while the Mustangs are 276th in defensive efficiency. The Chippewas should have the edge on that end of the court. The Mustangs should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 51st at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent), while the Chippewas have forced the 25th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents turnover percentage of 16.2 percent).
Since last season, the Mustangs have had records of 14-22 straight up (SU) and 14-17 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Cal Poly games since last season with 15 overs compared to 15 unders.
The Chippewas, meanwhile, are 19-17 SU and 14-14-2 ATS since last season. Vegas has had a tendency to set the total low when Central Michigan has been involved over that same time frame as 63.3 percent of their games have finished over the O/U total.
Cal Poly Mustangs vs. Central Michigan Chippewas Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cal Poly, ATS Winner – Cal Poly, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Mustangs rank 21st in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Chippewas rank 89th (5.8).
- Cal Poly ranks 111th in blocks per game (3.7) while Central Michigan ranks 133rd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Cal Poly ranks third in three pointers allowed per game (15.7) while Central Michigan ranks 308th (25.8).
- The Chippewas rank 27th in rebounds per game (39.2) while the Mustangs rank 298th (32.2).
- Cal Poly ranks 124th in assists allowed per game (12.8) while Central Michigan ranks 237th (14.3).
