The East Carolina Pirates, averaging 79.8 points per game over their last five, are set to host the Wichita State Shockers, who have been outscoring opponents by 2.0 points per game in the same stretch, in a crucial matchup that could significantly impact both teams' tournament resumes. With East Carolina needing quality wins to build their resume, this game presents an opportunity for them to capitalize on their recent form, which has seen them go 3-2 in their last five games, including a 85-75 win over Rice and a 88-72 victory over UTSA. Wichita State, on the other hand, has also been inconsistent, with a 3-2 record in their last five games, but their overall performance has been more impressive, with a 16-10 record and a NET rank of 84.
Wichita State's recent trend of averaging 74.2 points per game over their last five, while allowing 72.2 points per game, suggests that they have been able to find a balance between offense and defense, which could be a challenge for East Carolina to overcome. The Pirates, however, have been able to outscore their opponents by 2.6 points per game in their last five, which indicates that they have been able to find ways to win despite their defensive struggles, allowing 77.2 points per game in the same stretch. With Wichita State's ability to score and East Carolina's tendency to allow points, this game could turn into a high-scoring affair, with the over/under set at 145.5 points.
Key Matchups
The individual matchups in this game matters, with East Carolina's players facing a tough test against Wichita State's defense, which has been able to hold opponents to 72.2 points per game over their last five. The Pirates' offense, which has been led by their ability to score 79.8 points per game over their last five, must find ways to overcome the Shockers' defensive efforts, which have been impressive in their last few games. Wichita State's players, on the other hand, want to capitalize on East Carolina's defensive struggles, which have seen them allow 77.2 points per game over their last five. With the Pirates' recent form suggesting that they have been able to find ways to win despite their defensive struggles, this game could come down to which team is able to impose their will on the other.
The Shockers' recent form, which has seen them go 3-2 in their last five games, including a 81-77 win over Tulsa and a 75-61 victory over Tulane, suggests that they have been able to find ways to win despite their inconsistent performance. East Carolina, on the other hand, has been more inconsistent, with a 3-2 record in their last five games, but their recent form has been more impressive, with a 85-75 win over Rice and a 88-72 victory over UTSA. With both teams needing quality wins to build their tournament resumes, this game presents an opportunity for them to capitalize on their recent form and make a statement. The Pirates' ability to outscore their opponents by 2.6 points per game in their last five, while the Shockers have been outscoring their opponents by 2.0 points per game in the same stretch, suggests that this game could be a closely contested affair.
CHD Scout Prediction
Wichita State
79
East Carolina
68
The CHD Scout prediction of Wichita State winning by 10.4 points, with an 18.9% win probability for East Carolina, suggests that the Shockers have a significant advantage in this matchup. This is likely due to their ability to balance offense and defense, as well as their overall performance this season, which has seen them go 16-10. The Pirates, on the other hand, have struggled with consistency, going 9-16 overall, and their defensive struggles, which have seen them allow 77.2 points per game over their last five, could be a major factor in this game. With the Shockers' ability to score and the Pirates' tendency to allow points, this game could turn into a high-scoring affair, which would favor Wichita State.
The recent trends of both teams suggest that this game could be a high-scoring affair, with East Carolina averaging 79.8 points per game over their last five, while Wichita State has been averaging 74.2 points per game in the same stretch. The Pirates' ability to outscore their opponents by 2.6 points per game in their last five, while the Shockers have been outscoring their opponents by 2.0 points per game in the same stretch, suggests that this game could be a closely contested affair. However, the Shockers' overall performance this season, which has seen them go 16-10, and their ability to balance offense and defense, suggests that they have a significant advantage in this matchup. With the Pirates' defensive struggles, which have seen them allow 77.2 points per game over their last five, and the Shockers' ability to score, this game could turn into a high-scoring affair, which would favor Wichita State.
Tournament Stakes
A win for East Carolina would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as it would give them a much-needed quality win over a team with a NET rank of 84. The Pirates' current NET rank of 269 and their quad record, which includes a 0-3 mark in Quad 1 games, suggests that they need to capitalize on opportunities like this to improve their chances of making the tournament. A loss, on the other hand, would be a significant setback, as it would drop them to 9-17 and make it even more difficult for them to build a strong tournament resume. For Wichita State, a win would be another step in the right direction, as they look to build on their 16-10 record and improve their chances of making the tournament. A loss, however, would be a significant upset, and could potentially damage their tournament chances, especially given their current NET rank of 84 and their quad record, which includes a 1-3 mark in Quad 1 games.