The Samford Bulldogs will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Elon Phoenix at Pete Hanna Center on Thursday in NCAA hoops play.

Samford will face the 18-8 Phoenix, who own a 11-9-1 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Bulldogs are 6-11-1 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Phoenix are 10-9 favoring the OVER.



View Elon vs Samford Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 2.5-point favorites in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 319-ranked Bulldogs and the No. 142-rated Phoenix in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 71-60 win for the Phoenix on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Samford's No. 308-ranked offense, averaging 61 PPG, against a Phoenix defense that ranks No. 128 at 64.5 PPG. The Bulldogs field goal percentage has averaged 44% so far, more than the Phoenix marksmen have achieved on the year, 43.3% per game.

Defensively, Elon features the nation's No. 145-rated defense on the road, allowing 68.4 points per game. Samford, meanwhile, comes in at No. 316 nationally in scoring at home.

Elon was an 80-73 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Western Carolina. They covered the 6.5-point spread as favorites. The Phoenix grabbed an 80-73 win over the Catamounts on Saturday, behind a 19-point effort from Ryley Beaumont at Alumni Gym.

Last time out for Samford, they were a 64-53 Sportsbook as they battled Furman on the road. They covered in the match as a 1-point underdog. Samford earned a 64-53 victory over Furman on Saturday, getting 19 points from Clide Geffrard, Jr. at Timmons Arena.


Elon Phoenix Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Chattanooga are 5-5
After playing Western Carolina are 1-9
After a win are 8-2

Samford Bulldogs Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing UNC Greensboro are 8-1
After playing Furman are 1-6
After a win are 4-6

A few Phoenix at Bulldogs trends to consider:
Elon is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Elon's last 5 games on the road
Elon is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Samford is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Samford is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Samford's last 5 games when playing Elon
Samford is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Elon


Next up:
Elon at Chattanooga, Saturday, February 23
Samford home to UNC Greensboro, Saturday, February 23