Ball State Cardinals vs Bellarmine Knights NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/14/24

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Cardinals versus the Knights? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Knights Hall in Louisville, KY. Ball State is the -1.5 point favorites in this non-conference matchup against Bellarmine. The over/under for the game is set at 144.5 points.

BALL STATE CARDINALS VS BELLARMINE KNIGHTS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Ball State Cardinals -1.5

This game will be played at Knights Hall at 3:00 ET on Saturday, December 14th.

WHY BET THE BALL STATE CARDINALS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 82-67 in favor of the Cardinals.
• Not only will Ball State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 144.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 149 points.

Taking a Look at the Cardinals Chances on the Road

Ball State’s season struggles continued on Sunday, as they fell to 1-6 with an 82-69 loss to SIUE. The Cardinals, who were +3 underdogs, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Despite leading 41-39 at halftime, Ball State was outscored 43-28 in the second half. The game’s total points of 151 exceeded the O/U line of 137.

Ball State put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.2%, and they connected on 70% of their free throws, hitting 7 of 10 attempts.

Ray’Sean Taylor led the way with 27 points, knocking down 7 threes on 15 attempts (46.7%). Ring Malith added 24 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 53.8% from the field, while Juanse Gorosito contributed 17 points, hitting 5 of 9 from deep (55.6%).

Ball State’s defense struggled, giving up 82 points on 49% shooting from the field. The Cardinals allowed 51% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 17 of 33 shots.

From beyond the arc, Ball State’s opponents shot 45%, making 11 of 24 three-point attempts. They also sent the other team to the line 21 times, where they converted 15 free throws (71%). Ball State gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Can the Knights Pull the Upset at Home?

Bellarmine Knights Recent Game/Games

The Knights fell to 1-7 on the season after an 86-74 road loss to Western Carolina on Wednesday. Bellarmine entered the game as +5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.

After a 43-43 tie at halftime, the Knights were outscored 43-31 in the 2nd half. The total points for the game reached 160, surpassing the O/U line of 146.

Bellarmine’s offense put up 74 points in their latest game, shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range, knocking down 12 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 57.1%, and they hit 66.7% of their free throws, going 10 for 15 from the line.

Cord Stansberry and Ben Johnson both shot 8 of 15 from the field, with Stansberry hitting 4 threes and Johnson connecting on 5. Stansberry also added 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Johnson contributed 7 boards and 2 assists. Dylan Branson chipped in with 18 points and 6 rebounds, and Ice Emery added 17 points despite shooting just 37.5% overall.

Bellarmine’s defense struggled, giving up 86 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed 31 made field goals on 64 attempts.

From three-point range, they gave up 13 threes on 32 attempts, a 40% shooting performance. They also sent the opposing team to the line 18 times, where they hit 11 free throws.