Southern Illinois at Buffalo College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Alumni Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Southern Illinois Salukis travel to Alumni Arena to play the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Buffalo as 11.5 point favorites.

Southern Illinois heads into this matchup with a mark of 7-4. They currently have a point differential of 3.1 as they are averaging 70.4 points per contest while giving up 67.3 per game. Buffalo has an overall record of 9-0. They are averaging 86.6 points per game and surrendering 67.7, good for a point differential of 18.9.

Valuable Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Trends

The Southern Illinois Salukis are 7-4-0 against the spread

The Southern Illinois Salukis are 6-5-0 against the over/under

Important Buffalo Bulls Betting Trends

The Buffalo Bulls are 6-1-1 against the spread

The Buffalo Bulls are 4-4-0 against the over/under

Key Southern Illinois Salukis Injuries

12/08/18 G Armon Fletcher Suspension is out indefinitely

Key Buffalo Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Sean Lloyd comes into this contest averaging 11.9 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 76%. Aaron Cook averages 12.5 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.5 assists per contest and 1.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

C.J. Massinburg averages 17.5 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.4 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Jeremy Harris averages 13.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 57%.

Useful Team Statistics

Southern Illinois averages 70.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 280th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 3.1 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 79th. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 38th in the nation. They average 34.0 rebounds per game and 15.6 assists per game, which ranks them 275th and 71st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 78th with 15.0 per game. The Salukis allow 67.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 80th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 105th and 197th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.4 rebounds a game which ranks 145th and they give up 13.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 184th place in Division 1. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 156th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Buffalo is 16th in the country with 86.6 points per game this year. They are 81st in Division 1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 18.9. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 174th in the nation. They are 30th in the NCAA in rebounding with 41.0 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 18.8. The Bulls are 309th in turnovers per game with 11.6. The Bulls surrender 67.7 points per contest, which ranks them 90th in D-1. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 75th and 65th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 9.3 assists allowed per contest and 223rd with 36.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 304th in country in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Salukis have an offensive rating of 103.1, which is ranked 204th. They are 294th in college basketball in pace with 68.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 84th. As a unit they are 104th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 270th in D-1. Southern Illinois is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Buffalo is 337th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions. The Bulls have an offensive rating of 115.6, which is ranked 20th. They are 68th in D-1 in pace with 73.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 68th. As a unit they are 82nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 105th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Southern Illinois/Buffalo college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo -11.5

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