Morehead State Eagles (21-7) vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels (22-6)
Game Info: Friday, March 5, 2021 at 11:30 pm (Ford Center)
Betting Odds: Morehead State Eagles -1 -- Over/Under: 142.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Eastern Kentucky Colonials and Morehead State Eagles will square off at the Ford Center in the Semifinals of the OVC Championship this Friday night.
The Eastern Kentucky Colonials finished their regular season with an overall record of 21-6 and earned the 3-seed in the OVC Championship with a conference record of 15-5. Eastern Kentucky was able to advance to the Semifinals after defeated the 3-seed Austin Peay Governors, 70-67, on Thursday night. Eastern Kentucky allowed Austin Peay to take a late lead after holding a 58-48 lead midway through the 2nd half, however, the Colonels were able to secure the victory after a Devontae Blanton layup gave Eastern Kentucky the lead for good with 1:13 left in regulation. Eastern Kentucky shot 42.4% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc while Austin Peay shot 45.8% from the field and 17.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Colonials was Wendell Green Jr. who had 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, & 6 steals.
On the season, Eastern Kentucky is averaging 82.4 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Colonials are averaging 9.6 three-pointers per game on 35.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Eastern Kentucky has been led by Wendell Green Jr. (15.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.7 spg), Tre King (15.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.3 bpg), Curt Lewis (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg), & Michael Moreno (10.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 spg).
Defensively, Eastern Kentucky is allowing their opponents to average 73.9 ppg on 44.2% shooting from the field. The Colonials have a rebound margin of -3.6 and a turnover margin of 6.2.
The Morehead State Eagles finished their regular season with an overall record of 20-7 and earned the 2-seed in the OVC Championship with a conference record of 17-3. Morehead State was able to secure a spot in the Semifinals of the OVC Championship after defeating the 7-seed SE Missouri State Redhawks, 61-54, on Wednesday night. Morehead State was outstanding on the defensive end against SE Missouri State and pulled away late in the 2nd half after taking a 57-49 lead with 3:12 left in regulation. Morehead State shot 43.8% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc while SE Missouri State shot 35.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Eagles was Ta’lon Cooper who had 17 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, Morehead State is averaging 68.3 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field. The Eagles are averaging 6.5 three-pointers per game on 34.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Morehead State has been led by Johni Broome (13.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.8 bpg), DeVon Cooper (11.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 apg), Skyelar Potter (11.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Ta’lon Cooper (98.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.6 apg).
Defensively, Morehead State is holding their opponents to an average of 63.1 ppg on 40.25 shooting from the field. The Eagles have a rebound margin of 6.3 and a turnover margin of -2.9.
The Colonels are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS win. The Eagles are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss and 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Eastern Kentucky has won 7 of their last 8 games and have en explosive offense that ranks 10th in scoring offense, however, the Colonials can struggle defensively as they come into this matchup ranked just 264th in scoring defense & 211th in defensive FG%. Morehead State has 17 of their last 18 games with their only loss coming at Belmont and have been led by their defense that ranks 26th in scoring defense & 33rd in defensive FG%. Eastern Kentucky’s defense can force TO’s, however, Morehead State is just the better overall team and I think the Eagles pull away late in the 2nd half and cover this small spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Morehead State Eagles -1
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05