The Bulldogs and Panthers are two teams occupying the opposite ends of the Conference USA, facing off tonight, February 1, at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Louisiana Tech confidently holds the top position with a 15-6 overall record, while Florida International is at the bottom of the conference with a 7-14 record. Despite the large discrepancy in standings, this is one of the most anticipated college basketball games this week.
The best betting apps see the visiting team as an 8-point favorite. It's worth mentioning that last season, the Panthers won both regular-season games against the Bulldogs, just to be eliminated in the Conference USA tournament by Louisiana Tech. Let's explore the odds available for best with a FanDuel sportsbook promo code.
The Bulldogs Defense Is Formidable
The Bulldogs are currently on a five-game winning streak after triumphing 73-53 against New Mexico State on Saturday. LA Tech dominates the Conference USA, and one reason for the success is the formidable defense. The Bulldogs allow 63.2 points per contest, ranking them 10th nationally. One of their biggest strengths is rebounding, with an average of 36.3 rebounds per game, which opens more opportunities to outscore opponents.
Offensively, the Bulldogs score 75.4 points per game, with 45.2% field goal efficiency and 36.2% from the three-point line. Free throws are not a sure thing for the Bulldogs, hitting 68.7% of attempts. Isaiah Crawford is one of the most productive players on the roster, playing both sides of the ball. Crawford scores 16 points per game and steals two balls per night.
From a rebounding aspect, Daniel Batcho is inflating the team's stats with 10.3 rebounds per contest. LA Tech isn't a team conceding points easily and will be eager to secure another double-figure win against the Panthers.
The Panthers Are Desperate For Victory
The Panthers lost three road games in a row and are now coming home with a need to win if they want to claw back from the bottom of the Conference USA. The 7- 14 record proves things are not going well for them this season. Florida International is falling where Louisiana Tech is succeeding by not playing effective defense.
This team concedes 77.2 points a game, and that's not a recipe for success. They also leave opponents unchallenged from the three-point line, conceding 38.3% of shots from beyond the arc. Ball security is also an issue, with a +3.7 turnover differential. Controlling the boards is another department requiring improvement, generating only 28.5 rebounds per game.
The numbers do not look equally bad offensively. Florida International scores 76.2 per game with 44.8% field goal efficiency and 34.6% from deep. The team's scoring leader is Javaunte Hawkins, who scores 12.8 points per game, while Arturo Dean is a well-rounded player and one of the biggest contributors on the court. FIU has six wins at home this season and tends to score over 70 points when playing at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Betting Prediction and Odds
On paper, the advantage is on the Bulldog's side. It is the better statistical team, and being the best team in the conference infuses confidence. The Panthers' defense is a bad match for the Bulldogs offense. The best betting sites with free bets offer -395 odds on a moneyline bet for the Bulldogs, while the Panthers receive +310 odds. The 8-point spread is valued at -115 odds for the favorite LA Tech to cover and a -105 betting line on the underdog FIU. The total is 142.5 points with -115 odds for the Over and -105 for the Under bet.
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