Expect a fast-paced game when the Central Arkansas Bears (7-16, 6-6 SthLnd) visit McNeese State to play the Cowboys (12-11, 7-5 SthLnd). The game gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Central Arkansas Bears at McNeese State Cowboys ATS Odds
Both teams lost in their last matchup. The Cowboys fell to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 69-62, while the Bears were defeated by the Lamar Cardinals, 74-67.
Central Arkansas held Lamar to an effective field goal percentage of 0.475 (below the 0.532 mark opponents have averaged against Central Arkansas this season) while McNeese State had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.7 (above their season average of 32.2). Sha’markus Kennedy played a key role for McNeese State with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Central Arkansas, meanwhile, rallied around DeAndre Jones, who contributed 12 points and 10 assists.
In their first matchup this year, Jones led the Bears to a 79-69 victory. He scored a game-high 26 points. Central Arkansas’ free throw rate was their biggest advantage over McNeese State. The Bears had a rate of 0.241, while the Cowboys posted a mark of 0.167.
The Bears’ Jones has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 19 points,5.4 rebounds,5.0 assists,1.4 steals per game. Meanwhile, Kennedy has averaged 24 points,13.4 rebounds,3.4 blocks during that same time frame for the Cowboys.
The productive offense of McNeese State (13th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 112.2) will battle against the porous defense of Central Arkansas (332nd in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 108.8). The Cowboys should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Central Arkansas Bears at McNeese State Cowboys Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – McNeese State, ATS Winner – McNeese State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- McNeese State ranks 49th in rebounds allowed per game (32.3) while Central Arkansas ranks 276th (39.1).
- The Cowboys rank 86th in steals per game (7.1) while the Bears rank 210th in steals allowed per game (9.2).
- McNeese State blocks 4.3 opponent shots per game, which is ranked 45th in the NCAA. Central Arkansas ranks 99th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- The Cowboys average 16.3 assists per game, which ranks 19th in the country. The Bears rank 244th in assists allowed per game (16.2).
- Central Arkansas ranks 78th in three pointers attempted per game (24.1) while McNeese State ranks 248th in three pointers allowed per game (25.1).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 75.0 points per game (0.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (11.7 below their season average).
- The Cowboys’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 7.4 for the season.
