Chicago State Cougars (7-10) vs. California Baptist Lancers (7-4)
Chicago State Cougars vs. California Baptist Lancers 12/27/23 – The Chicago State Cougars will take on the California Baptist Lancers in a non-conference NCAA Men’s Basketball matchup on Wednesday. This handicapper’s best picks feature two teams trending in opposite directions this season. The Cougars have dropped 10 of their last 17 contests, struggling to string together wins. Meanwhile, California Baptist has won 7 of its last 114 at games behind a defense that holds opponents under 70 points per game. This sets up an intriguing clash between hot and cold squads.
The Cougars’ struggles stem from deficiencies on both ends. They average a pedestrian 64.9 points while allowing 75.2 to opponents. Chicago State loses the battle on the boards while ranking bottom-third nationally in turnovers. Making matters worse, leading scorer Wesley Cardet Jr. shoulders a heavy burden with 37 minutes per game.
The Lancers ride a stellar defense to victory. Holding teams under 70 points, California Baptist thrives in close games with disciplined play. The Lancers dominate rebounding at +7 boards per contest, creating extra possessions. They also distribute scoring with four players averaging double figures, led by guard Dominique Daniels Jr’s 18.6 points per game.
Chicago State Cougars vs. California Baptist Lancers 12/27/23 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Fowler Events Center |
| TV: | – |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Wesley Cardet Jr. (Guard) vs Dominique Daniels Jr. (Guard)
Wesley Cardet Jr. has been the driving force of Chicago State Cougars’ offense this season. Over 17 games played, he has averaged 35.9 minutes per game on average while contributing 18.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest – boasting 44% field goal percentage and 34.2% three-point shooting rate respectively. Cardet Jr’s presence will undoubtedly play a vital role in helping secure victory for his squad.
Dominique Daniels Jr. has been a scoring machine for California Baptist Lancers over his 11 games played, averaging 18.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game on average. He excels at drawing fouls and converting from free throw line at an 83% free throw percentage; plus his 40.9% field goal percentage and 35.5% three point shooting rate provide ample scoring opportunities inside and outside the paint.
When Wesley Cardet Jr. and Dominique Daniels Jr. square off against each other on the court, expect an intense battle of guards that showcases both of their talents: Cardet Jr. has a slight scoring edge while Daniels Jr. brings versatility into his offensive game. The outcome of this matchup may well depend on how these key players perform under pressure and how effectively they can involve their teammates.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As of now, the betting odds for this game are yet to be determined. The absence of odds information makes it challenging to provide specific recommendations. However, once the odds are released, it will be essential to analyze them carefully to make informed betting decisions.
Chicago State Cougars Betting Trends
The Cougars have gone just 3-7 on the road this season. More concerning, they fail to cover in 70% of away contests with a 2-7 ATS record. Chicago State also rarely exceeds projections, going over the total in just 6 of 17 games. Backing the Cougars away from home has been a risky play for bettors.
California Baptist Lancers Betting Trends
California Baptist protects its home court well, holding a 6-2 straight up record in Riverside. The Lancers cover the number in 60% of contests overall at 11-7 ATS this year. On offense, California Baptist surpasses oddsmakers totals in just 9 of 28 games. Their methodical pace limits high-flying shootouts.
Chicago State Cougars vs. California Baptist Lancers Betting Picks
Our analysis shows advantages for California Baptist across the board. The Lancers ride a home win streak behind leading scorer Daniels Jr. Chicago State has struggled on the road all season, especially to beat Vegas projections. Back California Baptist to exploit their edges in talent, pace and rebounding. No-cost NCAAB picks also point to the under hitting with two plodding offenses.
Free Pick and Prediction: California Baptist Lancers 78, Chicago State Cougars 68