The La Salle Explorers (9-3) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they square off against the No. 20 Dayton Flyers (11-2) at Tom Gola Arena. The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Dayton Flyers at La Salle Explorers Betting Prediction
In the Flyers’ last matchup, they blew out the North Florida Ospreys, 77-59. The Flyers forced 21 turnovers, while the Ospreys had a free throw rate of 0.100 (below their season average of 0.202). With 31 points on 15-for-24 shooting, Obi Toppin was the top scorer from either team.
The Explorers were victorious over the Bucknell Bison in their last game, 71-59. La Salle’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Bucknell. The Explorers had a rate of 20.2 (worse than their season average of 18.2), while the Bison posted a mark of 28.1 (above their season average of 17.8). With 15 points, La Salle’s Isiah Deas played well.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of La Salle. La Salle ranks 270th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.7 percent), while the gambling defense of Dayton forces the 94th-most turnovers in the nation (21.6 percent). Furthermore, the Flyers’ top-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.612) will square off against the Explorers’ 27th-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.439).
After the Flyers won the lone contest against the Explorers last season, 70-39, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Flyers made 14 of their 19 free throws (73.7 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.549 vs. 0.316).
Dayton Flyers at La Salle Explorers Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – Dayton, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Dayton ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (30.9) while La Salle ranks 214th (37.5).
The Flyers rank 28th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while the Explorers rank 178th (8.5).
Dayton ranks second in assists per game (19.6) while La Salle ranks 127th (13.4).
The Flyers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while the Explorers rank 127th (3.8).
Dayton ranks 47th in three pointers allowed per game (19.1) while La Salle ranks 124th (21.8).
The Flyers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.6, up from 17.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Explorers have scored an average of 73.4 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 61.6 points per game (5.9 below their season average).
