Niagara Purple Eagles vs St. Bonaventure Bonnies NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
Betting on today’s Purple Eagles and Bonnies game? Catch the action at Reilly Center in Saint Bonaventure, NY, as the Bonnies hosts this showdown at 1:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 130.5 points, and St. Bonaventure is favored by -16.5 vs. Niagara.
NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES VS ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Niagara Purple Eagles +16.5
This game will be played at Reilly Center at 1:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Bonnies.
- Even though we have St. Bonaventure winning straight-up, we like Niagara at +16.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 130.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Do the Purple Eagles Have What it Takes to Win as Road Underdogs?
Niagara improved to 4-6 on the season with a 69-66 win over Saint Francis U on Saturday, December 14th. The Purple Eagles were favored by 4 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 135, just under the 136.5 O/U line.
After trailing 34-33 at halftime, Niagara turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring the Red Flash 36-32 to secure the win at home.
Niagara’s offense put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 43.9% from the field. They were especially effective from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 30 threes at a 43.3% clip, contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 56.1%.
Miles Webb and Justice Smith each scored 17 points, with Smith going 3-for-3 from deep. Jahari Williamson and Juan Cranford Jr. both hit 3 threes, with Cranford shooting 50% from long range. Niagara finished with 17 assists and 7 offensive rebounds, while also hitting 85.7% of their free throws.
Niagara’s defense gave up 66 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field on 25 of 57 attempts. They allowed 12 made two-point shots on 27 attempts, a 44% shooting percentage.
From beyond the arc, the Purple Eagles allowed 13 threes on 30 attempts, a 43% success rate. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 7 times, where they made 6, shooting 85%. Niagara gave up 7 offensive rebounds.
Do the Bonnies Have What it Takes at Home?
St. Bonaventure improved to 10-1 on the season with a 65-48 road win over Siena on Tuesday. The Bonnies entered the game as -6.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 113 fell short of the 127.5 O/U line.
St. Bonaventure took control early, leading 34-17 at halftime. They scored 31 points in the 2nd half but also allowed 31 points, showing some defensive lapses after the break.
St. Bonaventure managed just 65 points in their last game, shooting 44.1% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.5%, with a strong 56.4% on two-point attempts, but they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 4 of 20 threes (20%). At the free-throw line, they were nearly perfect, making 9 of 10 attempts.
Chance Moore led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9 of 15 from the field. Melvin Council Jr. added 14 points and 4 assists, hitting 2 of 4 from three-point range. As a team, the Bonnies recorded just 7 assists and 8 offensive rebounds.
St. Bonaventure put on a defensive clinic, holding their opponent to just 48 points on 32% shooting from the field. The Bonnies were particularly effective in defending the three-point line, where they limited their opponent to 6/26 shooting, or 23%.
Inside the arc, St. Bonaventure allowed 12 two-point field goals on 30 attempts, a 40% conversion rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line only 8 times, where they made 6 free throws. The Bonnies gave up 9 offensive rebounds.