It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-7, 3-2 AAC) welcome the East Carolina Pirates (8-9, 2-2 AAC) to Fifth Third Arena. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 19, 2020, and will air on ESPNU.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Prediction
In the Pirates’ last outing, they were defeated by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 65-49. Tulsa’s 0.462 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over East Carolina, who had a mark of 0.313. The Golden Hurricane’s mark was below their season average of 0.502, while the Pirates’ was below their season average of 0.479. Jayden Gardner was East Carolina’s leading scorer with 19 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
The Bearcats lost to the No. 22 Memphis Tigers in their last outing, 60-49. Memphis’ free throw rate was their biggest strength over Cincinnati. The Tigers had a rate of 0.176 (below their season average of 0.278), while the Bearcats posted a mark of 0.117 (below their season average of 0.254). Cincinnati’s Keith Williams finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in the contest.
After the Pirates won the lone game against the Bearcats last season, 73-71, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Pirates had a much better free throw rate (0.340 vs. 0.129) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.606 vs. 0.508).
Cincinnati could dominate on the defensive side of the ball as they square off against one of the country’s worst offenses. The Bearcats currently rank 49th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.454), while East Carolina is 301st in effective field goal percentage (0.470).
East Carolina at Cincinnati ATS Pick
Basketball Tip: ATS Winner – East Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Cincinnati ranks 70th in assists per game (14.5) while East Carolina ranks 116th in assists allowed per game (12.2).
The Pirates rank 85th in blocks per game (3.5) while the Bearcats rank 121st in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Cincinnati averages 38.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. East Carolina ranks 85th in rebounds allowed per game (33.6).
The Bearcats average 19.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 197th in the nation. The Pirates rank 207th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
The Pirates’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.6, up from 0.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 66.0 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 57.0 points per game (8.6 below their season average).
