Central Arkansas vs Niagara 11/18/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Niagara Purple Eagles and the Central Arkansas Bears meet Friday in college basketball action from National Basketball Arena. Niagara is 0-2 so far this year and fell to Bucknell in their last outing. As for Central Arkansas, they’re 2-1 on the season. The Bears beat Little Rock in their most recent game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Niagara had a tough first game this year as they matched up against Maryland. The Purple Eagles fell behind 34-27 by the break and managed just 22 second-half points in a 71-49 loss. Braxton Bayless led the team on 14 points with six rebounds. 

In game two versus Bucknell, the Purple Eagles had another slow first half with just 23 points. Niagara scored 27 more from there in a 68-50 loss. Noah Thomasson posted 12 points with five rebounds, and Aaron Gray added 10 points with three boards. 

Over on the Central Arkansas side, they also had a tough draw in their opener this year against Wichita State. The Bears scored just 21 points before halftime and limped to a 79-55 blowout loss. Both Camren Hunter and Johannes Kirsipuu led the way on 13 points apiece. 

Game two marked the Bears’ first win of the year, 107-56 over Hendrix. On Monday versus Little Rock, Central Arkansas kept it going with an 82-71 victory. Eddy Kayouloud topped the team with 26 points, and Collin Cooper managed 22 points. 

PICK: I’m going to stay with Central Arkansas. The Bears started out 2022-23 with a dud against Wichita State, but they’ve been pretty solid in the two games since. Central Arkansas shot 46.4 percent from the field in their win over Little Rock on Monday, notching 44 rebounds and 20 assists along the way. If the Bears can keep that up they shouldn’t have too many issues covering.