Sports and Fitness Center features an NCAA basketball betting clash between the host Mercer Bears and the visiting Illinois-Chicago Flames in college hoops action on Saturday.

The game is being played at Sports and Fitness Center, which makes it technically a neutral site match.

The Flames will try to spoil to the party on Saturday; they are 1-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Bears are 0-1 ATS. Illinois-Chicago is 0-1 on the totals; Mercer is 1-0.



View Illinois-Chicago vs Mercer Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Bears, most recently No. 104 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Flames, who rate No. 288 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 78-54 victory for the Bears.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Mercer's No. 279-ranked offense, averaging 61.3 PPG, against a Flames defense that ranks No. 86 at 59 PPG. The Bears field goal percentage has averaged 44.3% so far, more than the Flames marksmen have achieved on the year, 37.4% per game.

Defensively, Illinois-Chicago features the nation's No. 172-rated defense on the road, allowing 66 points per game. Mercer, meanwhile, comes in at No. 220 nationally in scoring at home.

Illinois-Chicago lost its last outing, a 66-59 result against New Mexico on November 16. They covered in that game as a 16.5-point underdog. Illinois-Chicago suffered a 66-59 loss against New Mexico on Friday, getting 16 points from Hayden Humes in a losing effort at Sports and Fitness Center.

Mercer was a 52-49 loser in its last match on the road against George Mason. They failed to cover the 1-point spread as favorites. The Bears endured a 52-49 loss at the hands of the Patriots on Friday, despite a 17-point effort from Travis Smith at Sports and Fitness Center.

Next up:
Illinois-Chicago home to SE Missouri State, Saturday, November 24
Mercer home to Furman, Sunday, November 25