Elon College Basketball Teams Battle for Advantage in Friday Farewell

Game outlook

On Friday, the Valparaiso Beacons will face the Elon Phoenix in the Schar Center, Elon, North Carolina. Valparaiso has lost six straight games, whereas the Phoenix lost three of their last four. Valparaiso will be without Forward Collin Smith while Elon has no injuries listed. College Basketball Picks suggest that this is a bettor's game, with Elon the betting favorite opening at -5.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Crusaders +173 | Phoenix -215

Spread: Crusaders +5 (-110) | Phoenix -5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 145 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Elon will win straight-up is 68%.

Valparaiso Crusaders

Valparaiso is struggling offensively with an average of 66.8 points per game (328th) and hitting just 39.4% overall (348th) and 29.4% from three (321st). Isaiah Stafford leads the team with 16.2 points per game, shooting 35.2%. Valparaiso allows 70.2 points per game (158th) and opponents shoot 43.7% (233rd) and 32.4% from three (178th). The Beacons struggle at the charity stripe (70.1%) and have a defensive rebounding average of 40.83 (40th). Their power ranking is 239.

Elon Phoenix Analysis

The Elon Phoenix have a power ranking of 281 and are #30 in offense, scoring an average of 83.82 points per game, #310 in defense, giving up an average of 77.27 points per game, and 2-4 overall. TK Simpkins is the leading scorer for the Phoenix at 12.3 points per game, while Max Mackinnon averages 11.5 points and Rob Higgins averages a team-best of 2.8 assists per game. They have a 47.7% field goal percentage (59th), 37.1% from 3-point range (55th), 72.1% from free throws (147th) and 36.3 rebounds per game (led by Sam Sherry at 5.2). Opponents shoot 45.4% overall (308th) and 32.5% from 3-point land (181st). Simpkins is also the leader in steals with 1.7 per game and Sherry averages 1.2 blocks per game.