Eastern Michigan Eagles head to the Sunshine State for a meeting with the Florida International Panthers at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Westchester, Florida.
The Eagles (1-6) are off to a slow start after pushing the Michigan Wolverines to the buzzer in a game the Eagles led for most of the game. The FIU Panthers (4-2) are off to a strong start.
ACC/Big Ten Challenge
It is one of 72 NCAA basketball games today with an NCAAB schedule full of Power Five matchups due to the final ACC/Big Ten Challenge and then the start of conference play for smaller leagues such as the Missouri Valley Conference.
The challenge of making Eastern Michigan vs FIU picks is it’s hard to tell which Eastern Michigan team will show up.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles schedule shows four losses by seven points or less, a pair of double-digit losses, and a nine-point win against tiny Wayne State. This hurts them in the college basketball standings.
Before getting to our Eastern Michigan vs FIU picks, here is what you need to know about the game.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. FIU Panthers Odds
NCAAB odds have Florida International as 8.5-point favorites with an over/under of 162.5 points. FIU Panthers odds are -475 on the moneyline, while Eastern Michigan is +300.
Matchup Information
- Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Venue: Ocean Bank Convocation Center
- Location: Miami, Florida
- How to Watch: ESPN+
This is the first meeting between these NCAA basketball teams. Public betting data shows 60% of public bets are on Eastern Michigan to cover the spread and another 64% of public bets are on the under.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. FIU Panthers Betting Preview
Eastern Michigan has displayed an above-average offense this season. The Eagles rank 142nd in scoring 75.1 points per game.
They are 192nd in converting 44.5% of field goal attempts and 94th in making 36.4% of 3-pointers. They are also 94th with a 73.3% free throw conversion rate.
Eastern Michigan’s Defense
Defensively, however, is where they really struggle. They are the worst in Division I in allowing teams to score 82.3 points per game.
They are 351st in allowing a 49.4% conversion rate from the field and 287th in allowing teams to make 36.0% of 3-pointers.
Their rebounding numbers have also been an issue. They pull in 30.6 per contest to rank 281st nationally but only hold teams to 32.0 per contest, which ranks 230th nationally.
One of the Best NBA Draft Prospects
Eastern Michigan has one of the best NBA draft prospects and college basketball players in the country in Emoni Bates.
In six games, he’s averaging 19.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while converting 42.1% of field goal attempts and 42.9% of 3-pointers.
His smooth ball-handling skills and silky shot with a quick release allows him to get a little space for quick shots.
But only two other players are averaging double figures: Tucson Acuff at 12.6 points per game and Noah Farrakhan at 12.4 points per game.
A Five-point Loss
And the Eagles haven’t won with Bates in the lineup. However, they pushed Michigan to a five-point loss.
The Eagles are 2-4 against the spread and 4-2 on over/under this season. The over has hit in their last four road games.
They are 3-13 against the spread in their last 16 games, regardless of location. Only once have they been an underdog of more than seven points this season, and they covered.
The over/under is 2-0 when they are in a true road game and 2-1 on a neutral court. It is 2-0 when the Eagles play at night.
FIU Panthers’ Rankings
The FIU Panthers pose a great threat. They rank 22nd nationally in scoring 84.0 points per game. They are 15th in converting 50.8% of field goal attempts, though 191st in making 33.8% of 3-pointers.
Defensively they are the polar opposite. The Panthers allow teams to score 77.8 points per game, which ranks 335th nationally.
Teams make 40.7% of 3-pointers against FIU, the worst defensive rate in the country. Opponents make 42.8% of all shots, which is 205th nationally.
The Panthers also have a rebounding problem. They secure 31.7 per contest to rank 235th and allow 35.0 per game, ranking 328th.
FIU Panthers’ Injury Report
The college basketball injury report shows guard Austin Williams is out indefinitely due to undisclosed reasons.
The Panthers do a great job of running in transition and getting layups. They have a stingy defense full of guards who lead the team.
Denver Jones averages 19.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in nearly 29 minutes.
Arturo Dean scores 13.7 points per game to go with 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Javaunte Hawkins adds 10.0 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
The Panthers allow for a lot of possessions and a faster pace by subbing frequently. Nine players are averaging at least 14.5 minutes per game this season.
Winning Back-to-back Games
FIU has won back-to-back games against Stony Brook and Eastern Washington. The Panthers lost to Bryant by six and North Carolina State by 33 previously after a pair of early wins.
A weird quirk, the Panthers are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games played on Wednesday. The over is 8-3 in their last 11 games against teams with a winning percentage below .400.
They are 2-3 against the spread this season and 3-2 on over/under. They are 4-1 straight up on the home court this season.
They covered the only game they were favored by 7.5 to 9.5 points this season. The over/under is 2-0 when they are at home and 3-2 at night.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. FIU Panthers Betting Preview
Eastern Michigan vs FIU picks are difficult to gauge because there should be a lot of points. It will be about who can get stops with two of the worst defenses in the country going against each other.
Some would say FIU should run away with it because they have a slightly better defense, but Eastern Michigan is a great 3-point shooting team and should be able to take advantage.
We’re going to take Eastern Michigan +8.5 and hope that Bates gets plenty of touches to keep it close. We also like the over 162.5 to be different from the public.
NCAAB Pick: Eastern Michigan +8.5 (-110)
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