Utah State at Boise State College Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/8/2018

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Utah State Aggies travel to Thomas & Mack Center to play the Boise State Broncos on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boise State as 5 point favorites.

Utah State heads into this matchup with a mark of 15-16. They currently have a point differential of 0.8 as they are averaging 73.1 points per contest while giving up 72.4 per game. Boise State has an overall record of 23-7. They are averaging 78.4 points per game and surrendering 68.5, good for a point differential of 9.9.

Valuable Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 13-15 against the spread this season

The Utah State Aggies are 10-18 against the over/under this year

Important Boise State Broncos Betting Trends

The Boise State Broncos are 14-14 against the spread this season

The Boise State Broncos are 12-17 against the over/under this year

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

11/05/17 C Norbert Janicek Knee is out for season
03/07/18 G Koby McEwen Groin is probable Wednesday vs Colorado State
03/07/18 G Sam Merrill Leg is probable Wednesday vs Colorado State
01/17/18 G Brock Miller Nose is out for season
01/17/18 C Klay Stall Back is out for season

Key Boise State Broncos Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Dwayne Brown Jr. averages 8.8 points per game in 25.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 68%. Sam Merrill averages 16.1 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Justinian Jessup averages 11.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 80%. Chandler Hutchison averages 19.5 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 3.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Aggies allow 72.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 177th in the nation. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 244th and 248th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.8 rebounds a game which ranks 126th, and they give up 13.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 184th place in the country. They force 12.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 97th in college basketball. Utah State averages 73.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 196th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 104th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 94th in D-1. They average 29.5 rebounds per game and 11.5 assists per game, which ranks them 345th and 314th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 189th with 12.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Broncos surrender 68.5 points per contest, which ranks them 78th in the country. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 78th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 91st with 12.2 assists allowed per contest, and 8th with 30.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Broncos are 64th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.7 per game this season. Boise State is 66th in Division 1 with 78.4 points per game this year. They are 77th in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 9.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 46th in the nation. They are 38th in college basketball in rebounding with 38.5 boards per game and 191st in assists per contest with 13.4. The Broncos are 132nd in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Aggies are 16th in the nation in offensive rating with 115.8, and their defensive rating of 114.6 is ranked 345th. In terms of pace they are 350th in the country with 62.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 60th. As a team they are 1st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 68% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shots, ranking 43rd in Division 1. Utah State is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 247th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Boise State is 125th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 48th in Division 1. The Broncos are 28th in the nation in defensive rating with 96.3, and their offensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 69th. They are 154th in D-1 in pace with 70 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 44th. As a unit they are 50th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 70th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Utah State/Boise State college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Boise State -5

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