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A pair of sputtering squads square off when the Western Michigan Broncos (7-23, 3-14 MAC) host the Central Michigan Chippewas (10-20, 5-12 MAC) on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET. The Broncos will aim to stop a three-game losing run versus the Chippewas, losers of four straight.
Friday’s game between the Broncos and the Chippewas sees the Broncos as a solid, 7-point favorite. The matchup has an over/under of 138.5.
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Odds
Point Spread for Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan
The spread for this matchup is set at 7 points, with oddsmakers listing Western Michigan as the favorite.
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Western Michigan has -309 odds to pick up the win, while Central Michigan is listed at +246 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 138.5 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Friday, March 3, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN3
- Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Arena: University Arena
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Betting Trends
Against the spread, Western Michigan is 8-18-1 this year. The Broncos have been victorious in two of the seven contests they have been chosen as favorites in this season. Western Michigan’s games this year have gone over the point total 50% of the time (14 out of 28 games with a set point total).
In Central Michigan’s 28 games this year, it has 12 wins against the spread. The Chippewas have won five of the 24 games they were listed as the moneyline underdog this season (20.8%). Central Michigan has eclipsed the over/under 35.7% of the time this season (10 of 28 games with a set point total).
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Key Players to Watch
Western Michigan
Markeese Hastings leads his team in rebounds per contest (9.1), and also averages 8.1 points and 1.8 assists. Defensively, he averages 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocked shots. Tray Maddox Jr. averages 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. At the other end, he puts up 1 steal and 0.4 blocked shots. Titus Wright puts up 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Defensively, he averages 0.1 steals and 0.5 blocked shots.
Central Michigan
Brian Taylor is the Chippewas’ top scorer (14.3 points per game) and rebounder (6.1), and puts up 1.5 assists. Reggie Bass leads the Chippewas in assists (3.2 per game), and produces 12.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. He also delivers 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocked shots. Jesse Zarzuela is posting 16.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest, making 39.9% of his shots from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range, with 2.5 treys per contest. The Chippewas get 4.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game from Nicolas Pavrette.
What you need to know about the Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan is 5-11-1 ATS in conference games this season. The Broncos are scoring 69.5 points per game (232nd-ranked in college basketball) this year, while surrendering 74.3 points per contest (299th-ranked). With 33.2 boards per game, Western Michigan is 97th in college basketball. It cedes 29.8 rebounds per contest, which ranks 99th in college basketball.
Offensively, the Broncos have performed better in home games this year, scoring 72.3 points per game, compared to 68 per game when playing on the road. Western Michigan is 121st in college basketball with 7.9 threes per game so far this season. Meanwhile, it ranks 276th with a 32.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. The Broncos are 303rd in college basketball with 8.3 threes allowed per game this season. Meanwhile, they rank 313th with a 36.1% shooting percentage allowed from downtown.
In their last 10 games, the Broncos have one win against the spread, and are 1-9 overall. Western Michigan has gone over the total in four of its last 10 outings. On offense, Western Michigan has had a hard time putting the ball in the basket over its last 10 games, scoring 65.6 points per contest over that stretch as opposed to the 69.5 it has racked up over the course of this year. Western Michigan has been less stingy on defense lately, allowing 76.8 points per game over its past 10 outings compared to the 74.3 points per game its opponents average on the 2022-23 season.
What you need to know about the Central Michigan Chippewas
Central Michigan and its opponents have combined to go over the point total six out of 17 times this season in MAC play. The Chippewas are 325th in the country in points scored (65.8 per game) and 260th in points allowed (72.7). At 31.8 rebounds per game and 31.3 rebounds allowed, Central Michigan is 173rd and 197th in the nation, respectively.
In 2022-23 the Chippewas are scoring 7.1 more points per game at home (68.7) than on the road (61.6). Central Michigan is 310th in the nation in 3-pointers made (6.1 per game) and 13th-worst in 3-point percentage (29.8%). In 2022-23, the Chippewas are 270th in the country in 3-pointers conceded (8 per game) and 208th in defensive 3-point percentage (34.2%).
The Chippewas have gone 3-7 in their last 10 contests, with a 4-6 record against the spread in that span. Four of Central Michigan’s last 10 outings have hit the over. In its past 10 games, Central Michigan is averaging 63.1 points per contest, 2.7 fewer points than its season average (65.8). In their previous 10 games, the Chippewas are ceding 75.5 points per game, 2.8 more points than their season average (72.7).
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Prediction & Pick
Our prediction to win this game is Western Michigan, and we expect that Central Michigan will cover the spread (Western Michigan -7). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 138.5 points.
How to bet Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan
You can bet on Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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