The Creighton Bluejays (4-1) will be at home in CenturyLink Center Omaha when they take on the SIUE Cougars (1-3). The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 164.5 points with Creighton opening as a 27-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25, 2017.
SIUE Cougars vs. Creighton Bluejays ATS Preview
In the Cougars last contest, they lost a tough one against the Western Illinois Leathernecks, 69-67. SIUEs Daniel Kinchen put together a good game, leading the team in scoring with 26 points on 9-for-22 shooting. Western Illinois had a free throw rate of 0.348 (above their season average of 0.182). SIUE, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 17.8).
The Bluejays are trying to rebound after their 65-59 loss to the No. 22 Baylor Bears in their last game. Khyri Thomas led Creighton in scoring with 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Baylor did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (12-14; 85.7 percent). Creighton, meanwhile, forced the Bears into a turnover percentage of 21.6 (above their season average of 13.7).
Creighton could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense faces off against one of the nations worst defenses. The Bluejays rank 35th in offensive efficiency, while SIUE ranks 301st in defensive efficiency dating back to last season. Also, the Cougars rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.296), while the Bluejays rank 50th in opponents FTA rate (0.204).
The Cougars are 7-27 straight up (SU) and 11-17-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Since last season, games including SIUE have had a tendency to go under the O/U total (58.6 percent).
The Bluejays, on the other hand, have records of 29-10 SU and 22-15 ATS since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Creighton games over that same time frame with 19 unders compared to 18 overs.
SIUE Cougars vs. Creighton Bluejays Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Creighton, ATS Winner – Creighton, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Cougars rank 156th in rebounds per game (36.1) while the Bluejays rank 195th in rebounds allowed per game (35.6).
- Creighton ranks 12th in assists per game (17.1) while SIUE ranks 308th (10.6).
- The Cougars rank 21st in three pointers allowed per game (17.9) while the Bluejays rank 232nd (22.6).
- Creighton ranks 180th in steals per game (5.9) while SIUE ranks 291st (4.5).
