Ball St. Cardinals vs
Dayton FlyersPredictions & Preview

Dayton Flyers Look to Extend Undefeated Streak Against Ball State Cardinals in College Hoops Matchup

On Wednesday, the Ball State Cardinals (1-1) will face off against the Dayton Flyers (2-0) in an exciting college hoops matchup. This non-conference game will take place at UD Arena in Dayton, OH with a 7:00 ET tip-off. We will discuss each team's expectations for the season, review their early-season performances, and provide picks and predictions for the Ball State vs. Dayton game. Dayton opens as the betting favorite at -17.5, with the current line at Dayton -16.5.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +913 | Flyers -1700
• Spread: Cardinals +16.5 (-110) | Flyers -16.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 143 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Dayton will win straight-up is 94%.

Ball St. vs Dayton Stats

Ball St. Cardinals

Coach Michael Lewis is entering his third season with the Ball State Cardinals, boasting a 35-28 record over his first two campaigns. The team has finished fourth and ninth in the MAC during his tenure. Although preseason expectations are not high for the Cardinals, with a projected seventh place finish in the conference, they have the sixth-shortest odds to win the MAC according to the sports betting market. The team is off to a 1-1 start this season, with a recent home win over Franklin State showcasing statistical advantages in field goal percentage and rebounding. Individually, Payton Sparks led in scoring with 17 points on an efficient shooting night. In terms of rankings, Ball State is 193rd in offense and 164th in defense, averaging 72.93 points scored and allowing 71.63 points against them per game. Offensively, they shoot 44.31% from the field, 36.64% from three-point range, and 77.06% from the free-throw line. Defensively, they allow opponents to shoot 44.70% from the field and 71.52% from the free-throw line. Defensive rankings include 34.45% three-pointers allowed and an average of 33.80 defensive rebounds per game. The team also averages 12.63 offensive assists and 12.43 defensive assists per game, along with 12.33 turnovers and 11.57 turnovers per game, respectively.

Dayton Flyers Analysis

The Dayton Flyers men's basketball program, led by Coach Anthony Grant, has a strong record in the Atlantic 10 Conference but has only made the NCAA Tournament once. This season, they are projected to finish second in the A-10, behind VCU. The team has started the season 2-0, with a recent win over Northwestern. Offensively, the Flyers rank in the top 50 for field goal percentage and three-point shooting. Defensively, they rank in the top 100 for field goal percentage allowed and three-point defense. The team averages over 33 rebounds per game and has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.Overall, the Flyers are a competitive team with high expectations for success this season.

Dayton's Dominant Defense Poised to Shut Down Ball State in Upcoming Game

Dayton's impressive defensive record, highlighted by holding opponents to an average of just 61.5 points per game, sets them apart as a strong team. Their upcoming game against Ball State, with a spread of 142.5 points, is a reflection of the stark difference in offensive efficiency between the two teams. Ball State, ranked 236th in adjusted offensive efficiency, struggles to score with an average of 101.3 points per 100 possessions. Given their offensive struggles, it is likely that Ball State will post a low score of around 48-55 points against Dayton's formidable defense. As a result, I believe that laying the points with the Flyers is the best decision for this game. Their track record of success and ability to stifle opponents make them a strong candidate to cover the spread in this matchup.

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