Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls 3/22/24 – As the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament rolls into its intense matchups, the face-off between the Northwestern Wildcats (21-11) and the Florida Atlantic Owls (25-8) is grabbing the spotlight. Set to clash on Friday, this game not only pits two formidable teams against each other but also captures the attention of bettors and fans alike, making it a hot topic on premier casino sites.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls 3/22/24
| When: | Friday, March 22, 2024, at 12:15 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Barclays Center |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Blessed to be dancing. https://t.co/eXSIf13qgH
— Chris Lowery (@CoachCLow) March 18, 2024
Boo Buie (Guard) vs. Johnell Davis (Guard)
Boo Buie of the Wildcats has been a key part of the team, playing brilliantly all throughout the season and bringing his leadership and talent to the table. Playing all of 32 games this season, he averaged 19.2 points per game which is the highest in the team accounting for 3.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals as well. His field-goal accuracy, with 45% shots, 44.3% from behind the arc, and 85.1% free throws, reflects his offensive level. Although, his 2.3 turnovers per game would create a weakness that could be one that FAU takes advantage of.
On the contrary, Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic has also had one of his best seasons , helping the Owls progress and win some games. Davis is a versatile player whose average 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.4 steals in 33 games prove it. The accuracy of his 48.7% field goals and 42.5% 3-pointers as well as an 85.8% free throw percentage make him a powerful player on offense. Smoothing the impact of his 2.7 turnovers per game as his strength will be vital for FAU.
The encounter between Buie and Davis will definitely be an awesome final battle of guards from both sides, with each showing the way their teams fight. Buie’s ability to score and facilitate will be in contrast to Davis’s overall game and shooting accuracy. This clash could very well decide the match’s result, as both players are capable of transferring momentum to their squad by their leadership and scoring.
Wildcats’ Statistical Deep Dive: Efficiency on Both Ends
The Northwestern Wildcats have been using a well-balanced offensive play and a tight defense to build the momentum of their campaign. The offensive performance of making 73.7 points per game on a 45.9% shooting efficiency (including 39.4% three-point shooting), itself, indicates their capability. And together with their defense, that was averaging 6.9 steals and 3.3 blocks per game, brings about the additional niche of resilience. Meanwhile, their 8.8 turnovers a game and penalties possibly present issues.
Owls’ Statistical Analysis: Offensive Juggernaut
Florida Atlantic Owls have undoubtedly been phenomenal on offensive end as scoring 82.5 points on average with an FG percentage of 48.1 would. Their extraordinary rebounding (38.1 boards per game), therefore, becomes a factor for differentiation, producing more chances for possession and scoring. Though their three-point clip drops to 35.6%, they cover up the deficit with volume and offensive rebounds. However, their 11.1 turnover per game rate could still be a chance for the Wildcats.
NCAAB Betting Odds: Florida Atlantic Owls -142, Over/Under: 142.5
The betting odds lean slightly towards the Florida Atlantic Owls, reflecting their potent offense and impressive season record. However, the close spread indicates that oddsmakers expect a tightly contested game. Given the offensive firepower of both teams, bettors might find value in exploring the over for total points.
Trends
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends
Northwestern are 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Wildcats are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread
Northwestern are 8-4 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Northwestern’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 12 of Northwestern’ 20 last games at home
Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Trends
FAU are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Owls are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread
FAU are 7-9 in their road games against the spread
The totals have gone OVER in 4 of FAU’ last 5 games
The totals have gone OVER in 10 of FAU’ 17 last games at home
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Picks
Based on the strengths and weaknesses of each side, the match will definitely be thrilling. The main matchup of Boo Buie and Johnell Davis may shift the outcome but it is the team performance that is the deciding factor in the end. Though FAU has a strong offensive firepower, the balanced Wildcats approach and resilient defense could be disruptive to FAU’s rhythm of offensive play.
Considering the trends and the way the matchup dynamics unfold, it is more likely that Florida Atlantic Owls will be the better pick for their scoring capabilities, but Northwestern might likely cover the spread. To the prop bet or over/under betters, the game’s speed and offensive conversion rates provide a probability that the total points could exceed. The upcoming match is a commodity to rely on for the expert March Madness free pick controversy since it allows an underdog team to compete well with their more favored opponents.
Score Prediction: Florida Atlantic 76, Northwestern 72
