Instate non-conference college basketball rivalries can be fun to watch, and tonight's Florida International Panthers vs. Florida Atlantic Owls matchup will be no different.
FIU is coming off a massive 74-59 home victory over Long Island University, while No. 15 FAU was upended at Madison Square Garden by Illinois 98-89.
Please join me as I take a closer look at the college basketball odds for Florida International vs. Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, December 13, to give you my free college basketball picks.
Florida International vs Florida Atlantic best odds
Florida International vs Florida Atlantic picks and predictions
The Florida International Panthers are a squad heavily reliant on forcing turnovers and scoring buckets from said TOs. FIU averages 17.5 points off giveaways and that’s been a good thing because the Panthers have shot the ball horribly from everywhere but inside the 3-point line.
The poor shooting so far could change tonight against Florida Atlantic considering the Owls don't defend well from anywhere. They allowed Illinois to shoot 63% from inside the arc, 40% from downtown, and their inability to stop a struggling Illini offense is why they lost the game as 2.5-point favorites.
FAU had difficulty slowing down Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Domask at the Garden, and it'll have its hands full with Panthers leading scorer Arturo Dean and Dashon Gittens. FAU has plenty of weapons of its own and this game should exceed the 151.5 points FanDuel has on the board.
Owls center Vladislav Goldin leads the nation with a 71% field goal percentage. According to ShotQuality, FAU has a high frequency of pick-and-roll plays the Panthers will have difficulties stopping. Goldin plays on the block and FIU lacks the size down low to match up against one of the best offensive rebounding groups nationally.
The tempo should also be there for us tonight. The Panthers play slightly below the national average tempo while FAU plays slightly faster than average. Look for the Owls to pick up the pace and take advantage of the FIU turnover issues. Owls guard Johnell Davis is shooting 47% from downtown and I expect him to knock down a few in transition.
Finally, neither side will play much defense because they simply can't.
Both groups have players on their roster who can score buckets from anywhere, but neither squad defends the three well at all and that is going to open up plenty of scoring chances from downtown. The 151.5 points at FanDuel is the best number available by as many as one point and this game is ending Over the total.
My best bet: Over 151.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Florida International vs Florida Atlantic same-game parlay
Over 151.5
Florida Inernational +21.5
I'm predicting this game to end in the 153–156-point range. The tempo will be there, both teams score points from turnovers, and neither group defends well from anywhere.
That type of game bodes well for FIU to cover +21.5. Four of the Panthers' losses were by six points or fewer and I expect FIU to compete. Florida Atlantic is 4-1-0 ATS over its last five but the Panthers are 2-1-0 ATS head-to-head with the Owls over their past three.
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Florida International vs Florida Atlantic spread and Over/Under analysis
Florida Atlantic is favored by as many as 22 points offshore and the consensus is FAU -21.5. That is a substantial number for the Owls to cover, especially against an FIU squad that has played some tight games against Top 100 KenPom teams.
FanDuel has the total at 151.5 and that number is better than any other book sans the usual price gouging on the odds. Most of the other major U.S. sportsbooks are offering 152 (-110) while others have 152.5 (-110) on the board. Since the public is moving most of these numbers and they love high-scoring games, the FanDuel number should rise and hopefully the teams deliver for us.
Florida International vs Florida Atlantic betting trend to know
FIU has hit the game total Over in 14 of its last 21 games (+6.30 Units / 27% ROI) and Florida Atlantic has hit the game total Over in 21 of its last 38 games (+2.25 Units / 5% ROI).. Find more college basketball betting trends for Florida International vs. Florida Atlantic.
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Florida International vs Florida Atlantic game info
| Location: | FAU Arena, Boca Raton, FL |
| Date: | Wednesday, December 13, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Florida International vs Florida Atlantic key injuries
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