Elon vs Delaware 2/17/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Delaware Blue Hens will travel to the Schar Center to take on the Elon Phoenix this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Delaware Blue Hens improved to 17-9 on the season after defeating the James Madison Dukes, 81-60, this past Monday. Delaware was lights out on the offensive end against James Madison and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking a 72-57 lead with 3:56 left in regulation. Delaware shot 48.3% from the field & 34.5% from beyond the arc while allowing James Madison to shoot 37.3% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Blue Hens was Jameer Nelson Jr. who had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Delaware is averaging 75.2 ppg on 47.6% shooting from the field. The Blue Hens are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Delaware has been led by Dylan Painter (13.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 bpg), Jameer Nelson Jr. (13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg), Ryan Allen (12.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), & Kevin Anderson (11.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.4 spg).

Defensively, Delaware is allowing their opponents to average 70.8 ppg on 43.3% shooting from the field. The Blue Hens have a rebound margin of -0.1 and a turnover margin of -0.2.

The Elon Phoenix lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 8-19 on the season after being defeated by the Hofstra Pride, 97-64, this past Tuesday. Elon had no answers on the defensive end for Hofstra and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 56-34 lead. Elon shot 48.8% from the field & 43.8% from beyond the arc while allowing Hofstra to shoot 52.3% from the field & 45.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Phoenix was Hunter McIntosh who had 19 points, 2 rebounds, & 2 assists.

On the season, Elon is averaging 67.4 ppg on 43.3% shooting from the field. The Phoenix are averaging 8.9 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Elon has been led by Hunter McIntosh (12.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg), Darius Burford (12.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.6 spg), Michael Graham (9.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg), & Hunter Woods (6.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Elon is allowing their opponents to average 73.5 ppg on 44.0% shooting from the field. The Phoenix have a rebound margin of -3.7 and a turnover margin of -2.0.

Delaware is just 1-5 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games at Elon. The Phoenix are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 February games & 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.

Delaware has been solid on the offensive end this season, ranking 79^th in scoring offense & 29^th in FG%, however, the Blue Hens are just 3-3 in their last 6 games and has struggled on the defensive end as they come into this matchup ranked 228^th in scoring defense & 196^th in defensive FG%. Elon has been disappointing overall this season, however, this is a team that we have seen pull off some solid wins against James Madison & UNCW and between the fact that the Phoenix’s three-point attack (53^rd in three-pointers made per game & 93^rd in 3P-FG%) should have success against the Blue Hens defense and that Elon lost by just a 70-67 margin at Delaware earlier this season, I think the play here is to take Elon and the points. Good Luck!