The Bucknell Bison (5-7) will be at home in Sojka Pavilion when they go head-to-head against the La Salle Explorers (5-4). Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2017.
La Salle Explorers vs. Bucknell Bison ATS Preview
The Explorers beat the Mercer Bears in their last matchup, 95-85. B.J. Johnson led La Salle in scoring with 25 points on 8-for-18 shooting. La Salle played a nearly perfect game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.0 (above their season average of 26.0) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.684 (above their season average of 0.492). Mercer put up marks of 21.2 and 0.557, respectively, for those same stats.
The last time the Bison played, they topped the Richmond Spiders, 86-78. Bucknell’s Nana Foulland had a solid performance, putting up 13 points and 10 rebounds. Bucknell played a nearly flawless game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 28.6 (above their season average of 25.1) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.566 (above their season average of 0.534). For those same stats, Richmond recorded marks of 23.5 and 0.475, respectively.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Bucknell figures to have a substantial advantage. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Bison offense ranks 66th in that metric at 0.549, while the La Salle defense ranks 282nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.541).
Foulland has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Bucknell, averaging 15.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Explorers won the lone game against the Bison last season, 83-73. The Explorers played a flawless game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 40.6 and a turnover percentage of 18.4. The Bison were 25.9 and 22.2, respectively, for those same stats.
La Salle Explorers vs. Bucknell Bison Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – La Salle, ATS Winner – La Salle, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bison average 14.7 assists per game, which ranks 104th in the NCAA. The Explorers rank 106th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
- La Salle ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (5.8) while Bucknell ranks 114th (6.6).
- The Explorers rank 15th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while the Bison rank 74th (3.2).
- Bucknell ranks 29th in three pointers allowed per game (18.3) while La Salle ranks 66th (21.7).
