Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan - 3/6/20 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Photo by Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Western Michigan Broncos (13-17) at Central Michigan Chippewas (13-17)
College Basketball: Friday, March 6, 2020 at 7:00 pm (McGuirk Arena)
The Line: Central Michigan Chippewas -6.5 -- Over/Under: 146 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Western Michigan Broncos (13-17, 6-11 MAC) travel to Mt. Pleasant, MI to face the Central Michigan Chippewas (13-17, 6-11 MAC) in a Mid-American Conference Quarterfinal battle at McGuirk Arena. The last time these teams played, Central Michigan defeated Western Michigan 85-78 as 1 ½ point road favorites.
Western Michigan is 4-6 straight up and 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 games. Western Michigan is 1-7 straight up and 2-6 against the spread in conference road games this season. Western Michigan scores 64.9 points per game and allows 74.9 points per game to opponents on the road this year, and the Broncos have shot 40.8% from the field, 32.8% from 3 and 70% from the free-throw line in those games.
Western Michigan lost 5 of their final 6 games to end the regular season and won their last game in the 1st round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament against Eastern Michigan 70-54 as a 2 ½-point home underdog. Western Michigan is ranked 324th by KenPom, with the 227th ranked offense and 251st ranked defense in the country. Western Michigan is led by Junior guard Michael Flowers, who averages 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and Junior forward Brandon Johnson, who averages 15.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
Central Michigan is 1-9 straight up and 3-6-1 against the spread in their last 10 games. Central Michigan is 4-4 straight up and 5-3-1 against the spread in conference home games this season. Central Michigan averages 88.1 points per game and surrenders 74.1 points per game to opponents, and the Chippewas have shot 46.2% from the field, 38.4% from 3 and 72.8% from the free-throw line in those games.
Central Michigan has lost 9 consecutive games, and they lost their last game to Ball State 68-85 as 6 ½-point road underdogs. Central Michigan is ranked 220th by KenPom, with the 184th ranked offense and 265th ranked defense in the country. Central Michigan is led by Senior forward David DiLeo, who averages 14.7 points and 5 rebounds per game, and Senior guard Kevin McKay, who averages 13.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
Central Michigan is 6-4 straight up and 8-2 against the spread in the last 10 meetings between these schools, 6 of which went over the betting total. The under is 7-3 in the last 10 games for Western Michigan and 5-5 in the last 10 for Central Michigan.
Central Michigan has been on a terrible run lately and I don’t see it ending here in the Mid-American Tournament. I’ll take the points with Western Michigan.
Erik’s Pick Western Michigan +6.5
AUTHOR: Erik Judd
Mitch's Take...
