Boston University vs Bucknell 1/1/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Bucknell Bison will travel to Case Gym to take on the Boston University Terriers this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Bucknell Bison dropped to 3-9 on the season after being defeated by the Richmond Spiders, 81-50, on December 22^nd. Bucknell struggled on both ends of the court against Richmond and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 37-26 margin. Bucknell shot 38.2% from the field & 31.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Richmond to shoot 53.1% from the field & 32.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bison was Xander Rice who had 10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Bucknell is averaging 72.3 ppg on 44.3% shooting from the field. The Bison are averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game on 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Bucknell has been led by Andrew Funk (17.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), Xander Rice (12.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg), Alex Timmerman (10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg), & Jake van der Heijden (7.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg).

Defensively, Bucknell is allowing their opponents to an average of 81.1 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Bison have a rebound margin of -4.5 and a turnover margin of -5.4.

The Boston University Terriers had their 5-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 9-4 on the season after being defeated by the Marist Red Foxes, 84-79 (OT), on December 18^th. Boston University allowed Marist to fight back from a double-digit deficit with 7:29 to force OT and could not fight back after a 10-0 Red Foxes run gave Marist an 80-74 lead with just :45 seconds left in OT. Boston University shot 41.2% from the field & 28.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Marist to shoot 48.3% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Terriers was Sukhmail Mathon who had a double-double with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 block.

On the season, Boston University is averaging 69.2 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Terriers are averaging 7.9 three-pointers per game on 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Boston University has been led by Javante McCoy (17.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg), Sukhmail Mathon (13.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.2 apg), Jonas Harper (8.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 apg), & Fletcher Tynen (6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 apg).

Defensively, Boston University is holding their opponents to an average of 64.2 ppg on 42.8% shooting from the field. The Terriers have a rebound margin of 6.5 and a turnover margin of -2.4.

The Bison are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games & 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Terriers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400, however, are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Bucknell has been average on the offensive end ranking 177^th in scoring offense & FG%, however, the Bison have really struggled defensively as they come into this game ranked just 343^rd in scoring defense & 274^th in defensive FG%. Boston University has been led by their defense which ranked t-84^th in scoring defense & 48^th in rebound margin, however, the Terriers have struggled at times offensively and come into this matchup ranked just 245^th in scoring offense.

Bucknell has lost 4 of their last 5 games and has really struggled on the road this season as the Bison are 0-6 on the road with those losses coming by an average of 18.7 ppg. Boston University is one of the best teams in the Patriot League and as I think their offense is going to have plenty of success at home against a poor Bucknell defense, I’m taking Boston University to cover this large spread. Good Luck!