Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Merrimack College vs Butler NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Indianapolis.
Merrimack College vs Butler Prediction
Betting on today's Warriors and Bulldogs game? Catch the action at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN, as the Bulldogs hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on FS2. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 134.5 points, and Butler is favored by -11.5 vs. Merrimack College.
Merrimack College vs. Butler Matchup At A Glance
- Sport: NCAAB
- Teams: Merrimack College Warriors at Butler Bulldogs
- Where: Indianapolis at Hinkle Fieldhouse
- Date: Friday, November 22nd
- Betting Odds BUTL -11.5, MERRI +495 | BUTL -733 O/U 134.5
Warriors Preview: Do the Warriors Have What it Takes to Win as Road Underdogs?
Merrimack College dropped to 0-3 on the season after a 74-63 loss to Rutgers on Wednesday. The Warriors were +19.5 point underdogs going into the game but managed to cover the spread.
Merrimack trailed 37-30 at halftime and were outscored 37-33 in the second half. The total points for the game were 137, just over the pre-game O/U line of 134.5.
Warriors Offense Breakdown
Merrimack's offense put up 63 points in their last game, shooting 40.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.8%, with a strong 55% shooting on two-pointers (22/40). However, they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 4 of 24 attempts for 16.7%.
At the free-throw line, the Warriors were perfect, going 7 for 7. Ace Bailey led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 60% overall and 50% from three. Adam Clark added 22 points and 6 assists, while Dylan Harper contributed 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Warriors Team Defense
Despite Merrimack's defensive efforts, they gave up 74 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 41% from the field. The Warriors held them to 41% shooting on two-point attempts, with 18 makes on 43 tries.
From beyond the arc, Merrimack's defense allowed 7 threes on 17 attempts, also at a 41% clip. Their opponent went to the line 23 times, converting 17 free throws for a 73% success rate. Merrimack also gave up 15 offensive rebounds.
Bulldogs Preview: Can the Bulldogs Deliver Being Favored at Home?
Butler Bulldogs Recent Game/Games
Butler picked up a win on Friday, November 15th, defeating SMU 81-70 at home. The Bulldogs entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs and not only secured the victory but also covered the spread.
Butler led 36-33 at halftime and outscored SMU 45-37 in the 2nd half. The total points for the game were 151, falling short of the 157.5-point over/under line.
Bulldogs Offense Breakdown
Butler put up 81 points in their last game, shooting 41% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 50.8%. They connected on 46.2% of their threes, going 12/26 from deep, and hit 79.2% of their free throws, making 19/24.
Chuck Harris led the way with 21 points, hitting 4/5 from three, while Kolby King was perfect from deep, going 4/4 and shooting 83.3% overall. The Bulldogs grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and dished out 12 assists in the win.
Bulldogs Team Defense
Butler's defense allowed 70 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 41% from the field. They held them to 37% shooting on two-pointers, with 13 makes on 35 attempts.
From beyond the arc, Butler's opponents hit 12 of 26 threes, shooting 46%. They also sent them to the line 24 times, where they made 19 free throws, shooting 79%. Butler gave up 14 offensive rebounds.
Warriors vs Bulldogs Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis
- Across the Warriors last five road games, the team averaged 67 points per game while allowing 68. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 2-3 straight-up.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Butler has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 73 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
- Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Warriors have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
- Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Bulldogs have a straight up record of 7-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
Merrimack College vs Butler Prediction & Free Pick
- KnupSports.com Free Betting Prediction: Butler -11.5 Be sure to check out our other NCAA Basketball betting previews for this week. KnupSports.com also updates their sports betting picks page daily with plays across all sports.