Bellarmine Knights vs Central Arkansas Bears NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25
Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Knights and Bears. The game is starting at 2:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Bears at Farris Center in Conway, AR. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 145.5 points, and Central Arkansas is favored by -3.5 to win at home against Bellarmine.
BELLARMINE KNIGHTS VS CENTRAL ARKANSAS BEARS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Central Arkansas Bears -3.5
This game will be played at Farris Center at 2:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.
WHY BET THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS BEARS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 88-62 in favor of the Bears.
- Not only will Central Arkansas pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -3.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 150 points.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Bellarmine?
Bellarmine Knights Recent Game/Games
The Knights dropped to 1-11 on the season after an 82-66 road loss to North Alabama on Thursday. Bellarmine entered the game as +14.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
After trailing 38-29 at halftime, the Knights scored 37 points in the 2nd half but allowed 44. The total points for the game ended just under the O/U line of 148.5.
Bellarmine’s offense put up 66 points in their latest game, shooting 41.1% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.4%, with 7 made threes on 22 attempts.
Daniel Ortiz led the way with 26 points, hitting 8 of 17 from deep, while Taye Fields contributed 20 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Jacari Lane added 13 points and dished out 10 assists.
Bellarmine’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 82 points on 49% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to shoot 63% from inside the arc, with 21 made two-point baskets.
From three-point range, Bellarmine’s opponents hit 11 of 32 attempts, good for 34%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 11 times, where they converted 7 free throws. Bellarmine gave up 13 offensive rebounds.
Can Central Arkansas Lock in a Home Win?
Central Arkansas fell to 2-10 on the season after an 89-83 home loss to Eastern Kentucky on Thursday. Despite being +6.5 point underdogs, the Bears kept it close and covered the spread.
Central Arkansas led 30-28 at halftime but couldn’t hold on, allowing 42 points in the second half while scoring 40. The game’s total points of 172 went over the pregame line of 152.5.
Central Arkansas put up 83 points in their last game, shooting 40.7% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 36 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.9%, and they struggled at the free-throw line, making just 7 of 14 attempts.
George Kimble III led the way with 33 points and 9 rebounds, hitting 4 of 10 from deep. Layne Taylor added 27 points and 10 assists, connecting on 5 of 13 threes. The Bears dished out 20 assists and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the win.
Central Arkansas gave up 89 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field on 81 attempts. Inside the arc, the Bears allowed 51% shooting, as the other team went 23/45 on two-point shots.
From three-point range, Central Arkansas held their opponent to 27% shooting, with 10 made threes on 36 attempts. The Bears also sent the other team to the free-throw line 14 times, where they hit 7 free throws, shooting 50%.