In a conference with a lack of exposure, the Wichita State Shockers are flying under the radar at 11-1. The Northern Iowa Panthers (7-5) are next up on the schedule in a late Sunday afternoon matchup.
Will the
Shockers continue the exceptional play with only 1 defeat on their resume? How should we play out our NCAAB picks today?
Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 pm ET at the Charles
Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas. This game can be seen on ESPN 3.
5 Dimes Sportsbook currently lists the Shockers as a 5 point
betting odds favorite with no total available.
A narrow escape
Wichita State is coming off of a game in where they
outscored a formidable Southern Miss team 43-24 in the 2nd half to comeback and
defeat the Golden Eagles 59-51.
The Shockers scored the last 10 points in the game and
although they didn't shoot well (38%), their ability to dominate on the boards
(39-22) and draw fouls were the difference in the game. Wichita State went to
the free throw line 25 times and were led by senior guard Demetric Williams
with 17 points.
Key injury
The Shockers are without leading scorer and Senior center,
Carl Hall. For those of you that don't know, Hall will be out of action for 1
month with an injury to his thumb which occurred in practice. This injury will
require surgery and is unfortunate for Wichita State in which Hall was having a
solid senior season. They'll need to make up 13.9 points, 7.6, rebounds, and
1.9 blocks per game.
Senior Ehimen Orukpe, has been seeing action since the
injury and is a dominant figure stature-wise at 7 feet, 250 pounds, but hasn't
been dominant on the court, averaging just 2.5 points and 6 rebounds in his
last 2 games.
Cleanthony Early
Guard, Demetric Williams, was the star of the game against
Southern Miss, doubling his seasonal average in points. But, forward Cleanthony
Early will need to lead this team offensively and on the boards.
On the season, Early is averaging 13.1 points and 5.5
rebounds. He's a good player to have the ball at the end of the game,
converting 85.1% of his free throw attempts. That said, Early is coming off of a poor 2 for 13
shooting performance against Southern Miss but still managed 4 rebounds and 3
blocks.
Wichita State has 5 players that average over 7 points per
game and 11 players that average over 10 minutes per game. Each game, someone
different might need to step up. Currently this is a basketball team with no
definitive "go to guy".
If Wichita State play's its normal game, they should have
somewhat of an edge against an inferior, but respectable squad in the Northern
Iowa Panthers.
The record is
deceiving
Difficulty in opponents is where the Panthers have a major
edge. They've taken on all comers. The list includes UNLV, Iowa, Stanford,
Memphis, and Louisville. All of these games were losses, but some were fairly
close. This should be a dogfight as some people look at the records and
naturally assume that the Shockers are the far superior basketball squad.
Forwards Jake Koch and Seth Tuttle and guard Anthony James
are all coming off of big performances in the make-up game, a 82-75 victory
over the St. Mary's Gaels. Guard Jordan Page was an unstoppable 10 of 13 from
the field for the Gaels, but the Northern Iowa starting five was productive and
saw the foul line often.
Tuttle led the way with 18 points and 7 rebounds while Koch
had an overall exceptional game with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2
blocks.
Let's go check out the odds page! Live betting odds from all of the books!
A weak bench
Northern Iowa has the edge against Wichita State in
production out of their starters,but team depth could be an issue and the
difference in this game. Against St. Mary's only 2 bench players scored for the
Panthers
The Panthers have played several top level teams and have
come up on the short end of the stick. Without Carl Hall, for the first time,
they have a legitimate chance to defeat a legitimate top 25 or a team that can
at least be in the conversation of being in the AP top 25.
Outcome
Northern Iowa has been tested several times and have a lot
talent upfront with Seth Tuttle and Jake Koch. This should be a close game, but
I like Northern Iowa to cover the spread and possibly win the game and shock
the Shockers.
Free Pick -
Northern Iowa +5 at 5 Dimes