The No. 23 Buffalo Bulls are likely on their way out of the AP Top 25 after suffering their second conference loss. They should still be fine, though, in terms of their chances for an at-large berth, but they can’t afford to lose another game. Otherwise, their at-large odds could be in serious trouble. As for the Chippewas, they are looking to win their third game in a row. The sportsbook strongly favors Buffalo as the straight up (UP) winner in this Saturday’s game, but will they cover too?
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Betting Preview for the Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Buffalo Bulls College Basketball Game on February 9, 2019
Where: Alumni Arena, Buffalo
When: Saturday, February 9, 2019, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Central Michigan Chippewas (odds) vs. Buffalo Bulls (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Central Michigan Chippewas (16-6 Overall / 5-4 Conference)
Larry Austin Jr. is the life of the Chippewas’ party. The high-scoring senior guard is averaging 17.6 points per game, which is good for fifth in the Mid-American Conference. He was instrumental in Central Michigan’s 85-64 clobbering of the Western Michigan Broncos at home last Saturday, as he paced the team with 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field to go with 11 rebounds and five assists. And it’s not even scoring that’s the best asset of Austin, as he is also the leader in the conference in assists with 5.7 dimes per contest. Austin is the mostly the mastermind of CMU’s offense that is 20th in the entire nation with 81.0 points per game and third in the conference with a 109.2 adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom. Buffalo has a better offense than the Chippewas, though, so Central Michigan will have to limit the Bulls’ possession.
Central Michigan is 2-2 ATS in its last four meetings overall with Buffalo while on the season so far the Chippewas are 4-3 straight up (SU) and 5-4 against the spread (ATS) when playing on the road.
Betting on the Buffalo Bulls (19-3 Overall / 7-2 Conference)
The Bulls got stunned again in conference play, as they lost to the Bowling Green Falcons last Friday, 92-88. It was a testy game in a rowdy environment, and while they lost, Buffalo remains as the most talented team in the conference, strong enough to beat anyone in the conference. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Buffalo beat the likes of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Syracuse Orange, and the San Francisco Dons in the non-conference portion of the Bulls’ schedule. One good thing for the Bulls from their loss to Bowling Green was that they were able to outrebound the best-rebounding team in the conference, 42-30. The Bulls are third in the conference with 44.1 boards per contest. Also, Buffalo still has the best-ranked defense in the conference according to KenPom with 95.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. It’s also a good sign for those looking to bet on Buffalo when it’s coming off a loss, as the team is 2-0 ATS in its first game after suffering a defeat.
The Bulls are 3-1 ATS in their last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Buffalo wins, 88-76.
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