The Ball State Cardinals (5-4) will be at home in John E. Worthen Arena when they go head-to-head against the Valparaiso Crusaders (8-1). Action starts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
Valparaiso Crusaders vs. Ball State Cardinals ATS Preview
In the Crusaders last outing, they were blown out by the No. 21 Purdue Boilermakers, 80-50. With 19 points on 6-for-16 shooting, Joe Burton was the top scorer from either team. Purdue did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (17-24; 70.8 percent). Valparaiso, meanwhile, held the Boilermakers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.2 (below their season average of 31.0).
The Cardinals hope to maintain momentum after just getting past the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last contest, 80-77. With 24 points on 10-for-19 shooting, Tayler Persons was Ball State’s leading scorer. Ball State won the rebounding battle. The Cardinals had 13 offensive rebounds and 40 total rebounds, while the Fighting Irish had four and 26, respectively.
The offense of Ball State will face off against the elite defense of Valparaiso. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Cardinals rank 127th in offensive efficiency, while the Crusaders are first in defensive efficiency. The Crusaders should have the advantage on that end of the court.
The Crusaders won the only contest against the Cardinals last season, 79-73. The Crusaders dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8 and a turnover percentage of 15.7. For those same stats, the Cardinals were 11.1 and 28.3, respectively.
Valparaiso Crusaders vs. Ball State Cardinals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Crusaders rank ninth in blocks allowed per game (3.0) while the Cardinals rank 132nd (3.4).
- Valparaiso ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (5.8) while Ball State ranks 250th (7.3).
- The Cardinals rank 50th in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while the Crusaders rank 281st (19.8).
- Valparaiso ranks 10th in rebounds per game (38.8) while Ball State ranks 198th in rebounds allowed per game (35.9).
