Bucknell vs Boston University Odds and Picks (Jan. 1)

Time Stamp: January 1, 2022 5:25 AM
  • Boston University is an 11-point favorite over Bucknell on Saturday
  • Bucknell is 2-6 straight-up and ATS in its last eight
  • Read below for analysis and a betting prediction

Boston University (9-4) is an 11-point favorite over Bucknell in the Patriot League opener for both at 1 pm ET Saturday on ESPN+. The Terriers had a five-game winning streak broken their last time out in an 84-79 overtime home loss to Marist on Dec. 18.

Bucknell (3-9 has not played since an 81-50 loss at Richmond on Dec. 22. The Bison’s game at Albany scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled because of Covid issues in the Albany program.

Bucknell vs Boston University Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Bucknell Bison +xxx +11 (-110) Over xxx (-110)
Boston University Terriers -xxx -11 (-100) Under xxx (-110)

Odds from Bovada on Dec. 31.

 

Boston University is ranked 24th in the mid-major top 25 by collegeinsider.com, the only Patriot League team in the poll. The Terriers are 8-2 in their last 10 straight-up, 5-3-2 ATS, pushing as a two-point road favorite at George Washington as a three-point road favorite at Dartmouth.

Terriers in Charge

Preseason favorite Boston University has the best non-conference record in the Patriot League (and is one of three teams with a winning record) behind preseason player of the year guard 6’5 Javante McCoy, who is averaging 17.2 points and and 2.5 assists, both team highs.

McCoy is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and has made 29 of 57 three-point attempts, 50.9 percent.

The experienced Terriers start four seniors, and it would be five but for the ankle injury that has kept preseason all-league pick guard Walter Whyte (13.8 points, 6.4 rebounds) out for the last eight games.

Senior center and iron man 6’10 Sukhmail Mathon is averaging 13.0 points and a league-leading 9.5 rebounds per game. He has five double-doubles, including an 18/12 effort in the Terriers’ 81-80 loss to Florida State in the Jacksonville Classic, one of their two one-point losses. Mathon has played in 129 games and will set a school record for appearances with his next one.

Senior guard 6’2 Jonas Harped (8.8 points per game) has made 11 3-pointers (in 23 attempts) in the last three games, his three-highest scoring games of the season.

With Mathon and senior guard 6’7 Fletcher Tynen (4.6 boards) leading the way, the Terriers have a plus-6.5 rebound margin, tops in the league and 48th in NCAA Division I.

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Bucknell’s Road Woes

The Bison are winless away from home this season, going 0-6 in true road games and 0-2 in the Cancun Challenge over the Thanksgiving holiday. Among the losses were those to Hofstra, Richmond and North Carolina State,  the only Power six team they have faced.

Guard 6’5 Andrew Funk, the only senior on the roster, leads Bucknell with a 17.4 scoring average and is one of three double-figure scorers. Funk is the one player Boston U. must pay attention to. He had a career-high 38 points in a 105-100 overtime loss at Illinois State and had 32 against Penn and 28 against Hofstra, also losses.

Junior guard 6’3 Xander Rice (12.0 points, 3.8 assists) and junior center 6’9 Alex Timmerman (10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds) are the other double-digit scorers for coach Nathan Davis, who is still working toward the right combination in his rotation.

True freshman guard 6’2 Elvin Edmonds IV (6.0 points,. 2.6 assists) made his first two starts in the last two games and had 14 points and six assists while making four of nine 3-point attempts as the Bison have gone to a smaller group, with 7’0 sophomore Andre Screen (9.6 points, 6.8 rebounds) now coming off the bench after making eight starts. Timmerman also has come off the bench in. four games.

Bucknell’s performance at Richmond the last time out is not as bad as it appears. The Bison were within 10 points eight minutes remaining before the Spiders went on a late 28-5 run.

By the Numbers

Boston University is 4-1 at home, 1-3 ATS, and has won the last three against Bucknell. The teams last met in the semifinals of the 2020 Patriot League tournament, a 64-61 Boston win. The Terriers won the title game against Colgate before the NCAA tournament was canceled.

The Terriers are No. 152 in KenPom adjusted efficiency margin while playing at one of the slowest tempos in Division I, with 65.4 possessions per game. Bucknell is 314th in efficiency while playing at a much faster pace, 71.2 possessions per game.

The pick: Boston University -11 (-110)

The post Bucknell vs Boston University Odds and Picks (Jan. 1) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Source: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/ncaab/bucknell-vs-boston-university-odds-picks-january1/

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