Eastern Washington vs. Sacramento State - 2/20/20 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Photo by Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Sacramento State Hornets (13-11) at Eastern Washington Eagles (17-8)
College Basketball: Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 9:05 pm (Reese Court)
The Line: Eastern Washington Eagles -6.5 -- Over/Under: 134.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Sacramento State Hornets will travel to Reese Court in Cheney, WA to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles this Thursday night in a Big Sky showdown, tipping off at 9:05PM ET.
The Sacramento State Hornets (13-11, 6-9 Big Sky) are coming off a tight loss to the Northern Colorado Bears at home after being defeated, 68-65, this past Saturday. The game was tight the whole way, with Northern Colorado taking a 37-31 lead into half. The Hornets pulled within one at 55-54 with 6:27 left in game however the Bears were able to hold off Sacramento State in the final minutes to hold onto the victory. The Hornets shot 49.1% from the field despite just 27.3% from three-point range. Joshua Patton led the way for the Hornets, scoring 14 points to go along with 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.
On the season, Sacramento State is averaging 61.1 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. The Hornets are netting 4.6 three-pointers per game on 30.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Sacramento State has been led this year by Joshua Patton (12.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 bpg), Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa (9.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.2 apg) and Bryce Fowler (9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg).
Defensively, Sacramento State is holding their opponents to just 58.2 ppg on 40.8% shooting from the field. The Hornets are averaging 6.6 steals per game helping them obtain a turnover margin of 1.5.
The Eastern Washington Eagles (17-8, 10-4 Big Sky) won their last contest, defeating the Portland State Vikings, 89-81, on the road this past Saturday. Eastern Washington found themselves trailing at the half, 45-38, however a huge 51 point second half delivered them to victory. The Eagles took the lead for good, 61-58, with 12:13 left in regulation. Eastern Washington shot 49.2% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. Jacob Davidson stuffed the stat sheet for the Eagles, scoring 30 points along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block.
On the season, Eastern Washington is averaging 81.5 ppg on 46.0% shooting from the field. The Eagles are also averaging 9.4 three-pointers per game on 35.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Eastern Washington has been led this year by Jacob Davison (18.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg), Mason Peatling (16.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg), and Kim Aiken Jr. ( 13.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.8 spg).
Defensively, Eastern Washington is allowing their opponents to average 74.1 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Eagles are averaging 7.6 steals per game, helping them attain a turnover margin of 1.2.
Sacramento State is just 2-5 ATS in their past 7 games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 February games. The Hornets scoring defense ranks 5th in the nation and they are 78th in the country in rebound margin. Eastern Washington is 5-2 ATS in their past 7 games and 17-3 SU in their past 20 home games. The Eagles have the 5th ranked scoring offense this season and are also 5th in the country averaging 17.4 assists per game.
This is a classic offense vs. defense matchup. Typically I would lean towards the defense in this scenario, but in looking at the trends and considering the Eagles grabbed a 5 point victory in Sacramento earlier in the season, I believe the Eastern Washington offense will be too much for the Hornets again and I’m laying the points at home.
Brett’s Pick Eastern Washington Eagles -6.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
