Lafayette Leopards vs Holy Cross Crusaders Betting Pick & Prediction 1/17/24

The Leopards and Crusaders are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Crusaders will host the game at Hart Center in Worcester, MA. In this Patriot League matchup, the Leopards are the betting favorite against the Crusaders. The over/under for the game is 129.5 points.

LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS VS HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Holy Cross Crusaders +5.5

This game will be played at Hart Center at 7:00 ET on Wednesday, January 17th.

WHY BET THE HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-69 in favor of the Crusaders.
• Not only will Holy Cross pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +5.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 129.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 145 points.

Will the Leopards Find a Way to Win in Worcester?

After starting the season 1-12, Lafayette has won four straight games, all of which have come in Patriot League play. The Leopards are 4-0 in conference games and 5-12 overall.

On the road, Lafayette has a record of 2-7, and their average margin of defeat is -10.3 points per game. Over their last 10 road games, the Leopards have gone 2-8.

As the favorite this season, Lafayette has a perfect 2-0 record vs. the spread. On the road, the Leopards are 4-5 ATS this year and over their last 10 road games, they are 4-6 vs. the spread.

On the season, Lafayette’s over/under record is 6-10. So far, the average scoring total in their games is 128.4 compared to an average over/under line of 135.8, resulting in an average margin of -7.3 points. Today’s line of 129.5 is very close to their season average. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 127.

The Lafayette offense is coming off a game where they scored 78 points against Navy. They posted a field goal percentage of 56.9% and connected on 8 threes. The Lafayette offense has been looking to get up shots from outside so far this season, averaging 23.2 three-point attempts per contest. Overall, they have connected on 27% of their looks from outside this season.

At present, the Leopards’ defense is nationally ranked 83rd, allowing 67.8 points per game. So far, the Lafayette defense is giving up an average of 9.1 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 12.2 times per game (593rd).

Will the Holy Cross Defense Show Up at Home?

After a 69-66 win over Lehigh, Holy Cross will look to end their five-game home losing streak when they host Lafayette as 5.5-point underdogs. So far this season, the Crusaders have gone 0-5 at home and are 4-13 overall.

Through 17 games, Holy Cross has gone 3-8 on the road compared to 1-3 in Patriot League play. As underdogs, the Crusaders are 2-13, and their average scoring margin at home is -13.2.

As the underdog this season, Holy Cross has a 4-11 record vs. the spread. At home, the Crusaders are 0-5 vs. the spread this year and just 1-8 vs. the number in their last 10 home games. Overall, Holy Cross is 5-11 ATS this season.

This season, the over/under record in Holy Cross games is 8-8. Today’s over/under line of 129.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games this year (140.2). Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 137 points.

In their recent game, the Crusaders’ offense concluded with 69 points, consistent with their ongoing season average of 65.5 points per contest. Joseph Octave is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 15. Meanwhile, Caleb Kenney also brings a PPG average of 10.2 into the game.

Currently, the Crusaders’ defense holds the 236th rank in the nation, allowing 75.9 points per game. So far, the Holy Cross defense is giving up an average of 9.3 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 11.9 times per game (565th).