CBB Picks: Western Michigan Broncos vs. Ohio Bobcats

Western Michigan Broncos (12-19 SU, 16-13 ATS) vs. Ohio Bobcats (19-12 SU, 16-14 ATS)

When: Thursday, March 14th, 6:30 PM (ET)

Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, OH, Cleveland

TV: ESPN+

Point Spread: WMICH +8.5/OHIO -8.5

Total: 147

Money Line: Western Michigan Broncos +315/-416

Notable Injuries

Broncos

• None Reported

Bobcats

• None Reported

Recent Form

Western Michigan has struggled on the road this season, going just 2-12, and they enter this game on a seven-game road losing streak. However, they are coming off a win over Akron, and their record over their last 10 road games is 3-7. On the season, they have been outscored by an average of 11.9 points per game on the road.

As the underdog, the Broncos have gone 7-14 this season, and they are 12-19 overall. In Mid-American Conference play, they have gone 8-9 compared to a non-conference record of 4-10. They have been the underdog in 21 of their 31 games this year.

Western Michigan’s over/under record this season is 13-16 and today’s line of 147 is right around the average over/under line in their games (144). So far, 12 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 154 points, which is higher than today’s line.

Western Michigan has an ATS record of 16-13 this season, including a mark of 7-7 vs. the spread on the road. As the underdog, the Broncos are 13-8 vs. the spread this year and have gone 3-0 ATS in their last three games as the underdog. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, Western Michigan is 7-3 vs. the spread.

Ohio will be looking to extend their win streak to seven games when they take on Western Michigan. So far, the Bobcats have gone 19-12, including a 13-5 record in Mid-American Conference games. At home, Ohio has gone 13-5, and they come into this game with an average scoring margin of +6.6 points per game.

During their last game, the Bobcats took down Miami (OH) by a score of 72-59. Over their last 10 games at home, Ohio has gone 8-2, and they have gone 5-0 in their last five games at home.

So far this season, the over/under record for Ohio games is 13-17, and today’s line of 147 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (149.7). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 133 points, and their OU record in their last 10 games is 3-7.

As the favorite this season, Ohio has gone 14-11 vs. the spread. At home, their ATS mark is 10-8. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Bobcats are 9-1 vs. the spread.

Analysis

In their latest game, Western Michigan’s offense looked good, scoring 90 points against Akron. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 50.9% and made 26/35 free throws. B. Artis White led the team in scoring, putting up 23 points. Additionally, Javonte Brown contributed 16 points for the Broncos.

At this time, the Broncos’ defense is positioned 243rd in the country, permitting 74.6 points per game. In today’s game vs. Ohio, the Western Michigan defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Western Michigan made 26 free-throws vs. the Broncos.

The Ohio offense is coming off a game where they scored 72 points against Miami (OH). They posted a field goal percentage of 38.5% and connected on 9 threes. Aidan Hadaway led the scoring for the Bobcats, contributing 20 points. Additionally, Shereef Mitchell chipped in with 20 points.

On the defensive side, Ohio is currently hovering around the NCAA’s average for points allowed, conceding an average of 70.6 points per game. In their most recent game, the Ohio defense struggled to defend the three-point line, as Miami (OH) knocked down 9 three-pointers on their way to 59 points.

Betting Trends

• Through their last ten road games, Western Michigan has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 3-7 while averaging 67 points per game.
• Although Ohio has a straight up record of 5-5 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-4. The team averaged 77 points per game in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Broncos have an ATS record of 3-0 in their last three games. In these matchups, their, straight up record was 3-0.
• Ohio has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 5-0 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last five games.

Crew’s Over/Under Pick

The Bobcats defense has been playing great defense holding six consecutive opponnents to fewer than 70 points.But, I don’t think that they do it tonight. Take the Over 146.5