Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (8-11) vs IUPUI Jaguars (8-9)
Game Info: Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 8:00 pm (UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena)
Betting Odds: Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers -4.5 -- Over/Under: 149.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The IUPUI Jaguars will travel to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to take on the Milwaukee Panthers this Thursday night in the first round of the Horizon League Championship.
The IUPUI Jaguars finished their regular season with an 8-9 record after being defeated by the Youngstown State Penguins, 77-70, this past Saturday. IUPUI struggled on the offensive end against the Youngstown State defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 44-34 margin. IUPUI shot 33.9% from the field and 21.7% from beyond the arc while Youngstown State shot 50.0% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. IUPUI was outrebounded by Youngstown State by a 37-35 margin and committed 15 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Jaguars was Elyjah Goss who had a double-double with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 blocks.
On the season, IUPUI is averaging 71.1 ppg on 42.2% shooting from the field. The Jaguars are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 34.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, IUPUI has been led by Marcus Burk (22.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.9 spg), Jaylen Minnett (16.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg), Elyjah Goss (10.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg), & Mike DePersia (5.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.2 spg).
Defensively, IUPUI is allowing their opponents to average 75.3 ppg on 47.5% shooting from the field. The Jaguars have a rebound margin of -1.7 and a turnover margin of 0.1.
The Milwaukee Panthers finished their regular season with an 8-11 record after defeating the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 89-87 in 2OT, this past Saturday. Milwaukee was able to fight back from a 33-25 halftime deficit to force OT and secured the win after Te’Jon Lucas hit a game-winning jumper with just :04 seconds left in double-OT. Milwaukee shot 40.0% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc while Oakland shot 43.1% from the field and 28.0% from beyond the arc. Milwaukee was outrebounded by Oakland by a 52-43 margin, however, won the turnover battle by a 14-8 margin. Leading the way for the Panthers was Te’Jon Lucas who had a double-double with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, Milwaukee is averaging 74.7 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 7.3 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Milwaukee has been led by DeAndre Gholston (16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.4 apg), Te’Jon Lucas (14.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.2 spg), Josh Thomas (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.7 apg), & Tafari Simms (8.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg).
Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing their opponents to average 75.9 ppg on 45.1% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -3.1 and a turnover margin of 2.0.
The Jaguars are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Panthers are 39-15-3 ATS in their last 57 Thursday games, however, are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Milwaukee was able to snap their 5-game losing streak against Oakland this past weekend, however, it is hard to like how the Panthers have looked over the past month, especially on the defensive end where Milwaukee’s currently ranks 287th in scoring defense & 246th in defensive FG%. IUPUI can struggle defensively, however, they have a great trio of players in Marcus Burk, Jaylen Minnett, & Elyjah Goss and between the fact that IUPUI has won 4 of their last 6 games and that they are 4-4 on the road, I think IUPUI does enough in this one to cover with the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick IUPUI Jaguars +4.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05