Florida Gulf Coast Eagles vs Richmond Spiders NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24
The Eagles and Spiders are set to face off at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. The Spiders will host the game at Robins Center in Richmond, VA. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 138.5 points, with Richmond being favored by -1.5 over Florida Gulf Coast.
FLORIDA GULF COAST EAGLES VS RICHMOND SPIDERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Richmond Spiders -1.5
This game will be played at Robins Center at 6:00 ET on Saturday, December 28th.
WHY BET THE RICHMOND SPIDERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Spiders.
- Not only will Richmond pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Will Florida Gulf Coast Win on the Road?
The Eagles dropped to 3-8 on the season after a 79-66 road loss to the Seahawks on Wednesday. FGCU entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 145, surpassing the O/U line of 138.5.
FGCU trailed 37-27 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the 2nd half, where they scored 39 points but allowed 42.
Florida Gulf Coast managed 66 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 52.8%, thanks largely to their 58.8% shooting inside the arc, while they struggled from three-point range, hitting just 5 of 19 attempts (26.3%).
At the free-throw line, the Eagles shot 57.9%, and they grabbed 7 offensive rebounds, finishing with 8 assists. Donovan Newby led the way with 21 points, hitting 4 threes, while Zavian McLean and Keeshawn Kellman each contributed 20 points, with McLean shooting 8 of 11 from the field.
Florida Gulf Coast struggled defensively, giving up 79 points on 49% shooting from the field. The Eagles allowed their opponent to connect on 72% of their two-point attempts, as they went 18/25 inside the arc.
From three-point range, the Eagles held their opponent to 31% shooting, with 10 threes made on 32 attempts. Florida Gulf Coast also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 13 free throws for 61%.
Will the Spiders Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?
Richmond improved to 3-7 on the season with a 78-71 home win over VMI on Saturday. The Spiders entered the game as -12 favorites but failed to cover the spread.
Richmond led 41-29 at halftime but allowed 42 points in the 2nd half, while scoring 37. The game’s total points of 149 went over the O/U line of 142.5.
Richmond put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 43.9% from the field and hitting 10 of 33 from beyond the arc (30.3%). Their effective field goal percentage was 52.6%, and they shot 62.5% on two-point attempts.
Rickey Bradley Jr. led the way with 26 points, shooting 62.5% overall and 3 of 5 from three. Dusan Neskovic added 23 points, connecting on 3 of 8 from deep. The Spiders also hit 18 of 22 free throws (81.8%) and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, with 18 assists as a team.
Richmond’s defense gave up 71 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field, hitting 25 of their 57 attempts. Inside the arc, they were efficient, making 15 of 24 two-point shots for 62%.
From three-point range, Richmond’s opponent shot 30%, connecting on 10 of 33 attempts. They also sent them to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 18 free throws for 81%. Richmond allowed 12 offensive rebounds in the game.