The Nicholls Colonels (7-5, 1-0 SthLnd) will be at Moody Coliseum to take on the Abilene Christian Wildcats (6-5, 1-0 SthLnd) in a SthLnd matchup. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
Nicholls Colonels vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious over their last opponent. The Wildcats defeated the New Orleans Privateers 77-71, while the Colonels beat the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 64-58.
The Colonels had a superb turnover percentage of 9.9 (better than their season average of 15.8) and held the Islanders to an effective field goal percentage of 0.402 (below their season average of 0.496). The Wildcats, meanwhile, held the Privateers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.5 (below their season average of 29.7) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.550 (above their season average of 0.496). Joe Pleasant fueled Abilene Christian with 19 points and five rebounds. Nicholls, meanwhile, was led by Warith Alatishe, who put up 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
The Wildcats won the lone contest between these two teams last season, 64-48. The Wildcats’ 22.2 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Colonels, who had a rate of 12.5. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This meeting figures to be low-scoring as two of the NCAA’s premier defenses square off. Abilene Christian currently ranks ninth in defensive efficiency (84.9) and Nicholls is 56th (90.1). Furthermore, the Colonels, who rank 55th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.7 percent), will face a difficult challenge against the Wildcats, who rank 12th in defensive rebounding percentage (78.0 percent).
Nicholls Colonels vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Abilene Christian, ATS Winner – Abilene Christian, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Abilene Christian ranks 45th in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while Nicholls ranks 229th (38.8).
- The Wildcats are 16th in the NCAA with 17.4 three pointers allowed per game while the Colonels are 52nd with 19.5 three pointers allowed per game.
- The Wildcats rank 13th in steals per game (9.9) while the Colonels rank 106th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- Abilene Christian ranks 17th in assists allowed per game (9.2) while Nicholls ranks 99th (12.3).
Bettings Trends:
- The Colonels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 30.2, up from 12.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 81.6 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 55.0 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
