LIU Sharks vs Niagara Purple Eagles Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our LIU vs Niagara NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Easton.

LIU vs Niagara Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Sharks and Purple Eagles. The game is starting at 12:00 ET on NEC, and it's hosted by the Purple Eagles at Kirby Sports Center in Easton, PA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 139 points, and Niagara is favored by -2.5 at home against LIU.

LIU vs. Niagara Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: LIU Sharks at Niagara Purple Eagles
Where: Easton at Kirby Sports Center
Date: Sunday, December 1st
Betting Odds NIAGRA -2.5, LIUB +133 | NIAGRA -164 O/U 139

Sharks Preview: Taking a Look at the Sharks Chances on the Road

LIU's recent game saw them fall 75-70 to Binghamton on Saturday, November 30th. The Sharks were +1 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 145, exceeding the pre-game O/U line of 135.

LIU led 32-24 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 27 points while allowing 35. Their inability to maintain their first-half lead was a key factor in the loss.

Sharks Offense Breakdown

In their last game, LIU's offense put up 70 points, shooting 40.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.2%, with struggles from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 of 27 threes for 22.2%. At the free-throw line, they connected on 14 of 23 attempts, good for 60.9%.

Nehemiah Benson led the way with 28 points on 7 of 9 shooting, while Jamal Fuller added 27 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 3 of 6 from deep. Tymu Chenery also made 3 threes, shooting 60% from beyond the arc, and Terell Strickland contributed 8 assists.

Sharks Team Defense

Even though LIU gave up 75 points, they struggled to contain their opponent inside, allowing them to shoot 63% on two-point attempts (19/30). However, they did a better job defending the perimeter, holding their opponent to just 25% shooting from three-point range (4/16).

LIU sent their opponent to the free-throw line 38 times, where they converted 25 free throws, shooting 65%. The Sharks managed to limit second-chance opportunities, giving up only 6 offensive rebounds.

Purple Eagles Preview: Will the Purple Eagles Pull Through as the Favored Home Team?

Niagara Purple Eagles Recent Game/Games

Niagara's season continued with a 59-47 loss to Lafayette on Saturday. The Purple Eagles were +4 underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 106, well under the O/U line of 135.

Niagara trailed 21-18 at halftime but allowed 38 points in the 2nd half while scoring 29. They'll need to tighten up defensively and find more offensive consistency moving forward.

Purple Eagles Offense Breakdown

Niagara's offense struggled mightily in their last game, scoring just 47 points while shooting 25.4% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 27.1%, and they hit only 3 of 26 attempts from beyond the arc, finishing at 11.5% from three-point range.

The Purple Eagles managed just 3 assists as a team, though they did hit 82.4% of their free throws, going 14 for 17. Justin Vander Baan and Zion Russell each scored 11 points, with Vander Baan adding 8 rebounds and 1 assist.

Purple Eagles Team Defense

Niagara's defense was impressive, holding their opponent to just 59 points on 31% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts to 12/33, a 36% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Niagara allowed 7 threes on 27 attempts, a 25% shooting percentage. They also sent the opponent to the line 17 times, where they made 14 free throws, an 82% rate. Niagara gave up 7 offensive rebounds.

Sharks vs Purple Eagles Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their five previous road games, LIU has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-4 while averaging 69 points per game.
Across their last three home contests, Niagara has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 1-2, while averaging 61 points per game.
Looking back on the team's last ten games as the underdog, the Sharks have a straight up record of 2-8. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-4-1.
Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Purple Eagles have an overall record of 3-2 while going 1-4 against the spread.