The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (4-7, 0-1 SthLnd) will be at the Farris Center to challenge the Central Arkansas Bears (2-9, 1-0 SthLnd) in a SthLnd matchup. The game begins at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Central Arkansas Bears ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Bears beat the UIW Cardinals, 88-82, while the Islanders were beaten by the Nicholls Colonels, 64-58.
Central Arkansas played a nearly perfect game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.349 (above their season average of 0.289) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.1 (above their season average of 23.0). For those same stats, UIW had marks of 0.187 and 22.9, respectively. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, meanwhile, had a free throw rate of 0.333 (above their season average of 0.194). Central Arkansas’ Eddy Kayouloud had a solid performance, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Myles Smith was a key piece for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with 18 points and eight rebounds.
This series was highly contested last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Bears won the last matchup 73-53. One of Central Arkansas’ largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They had 29 free throw attempts, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi had just six. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
It will be a showdown of opposite paces as the fast-paced Bears (ranked first in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Islanders (343rd in possessions per game).
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Central Arkansas Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Central Arkansas, ATS Winner – Central Arkansas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 44th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while Central Arkansas ranks 255th (43.2).
- The Islanders rank 172nd in assists per game (11.8) while the Bears rank 222nd in assists allowed per game (17.8).
- The Bears rank 13th in blocks per game (5.9) while the Islanders rank 147th (2.3).
- Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ranks 132nd in three pointers attempted per game (22.0) while Central Arkansas ranks 221st in three pointers allowed per game (25.5).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Islanders have scored an average of 64.2 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 64.2 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
- The Bears’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.0, down from 16.5 for the season.
