UC Irvine Anteaters vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Prediction 12/21/18

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It will be a matchup between two superb defenses when the Butler Bulldogs (8-3) square off with the UC Irvine Anteaters (11-2) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 21, 2018.

UC Irvine Anteaters vs. Butler Bulldogs Betting Odds

Both teams had no trouble getting past their last opponent. The Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks 90-68, while the Anteaters beat the Idaho Vandals 86-68.

UC Irvine played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 48.4 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.603. For those same stats, Idaho was 18.2 and 0.545, respectively. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, had a much better free throw rate (0.207 vs. 0.095) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.2 vs. 23.5). Paul Jorgensen had a solid performance for Butler, putting up 17 points and seven rebounds. Eyassu Worku, meanwhile was a key piece for UC Irvine with 18 points and six assists.

Jorgensen and Kamar Baldwin have played at a high level over the last five games for Butler. Jorgensen has averaged 0 points, while Baldwin has put up 0 points a game during that span.

This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Butler currently ranks 36th in offensive efficiency and UC Irvine is 45th in defensive efficiency.

UC Irvine at Butler Pick

Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Butler, ATS Winner – Butler, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • UC Irvine ranks 30th in rebounds per game (40.2) while Butler ranks 209th (32.7).
  • The Anteaters rank 19th in assists allowed per game (9.8) while the Bulldogs rank 27th (10.4).
  • Butler allows the 30th-fewest steals per game (5.3) while UC Irvine ranks 33rd (5.4).
  • The Bulldogs rank 72nd in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while the Anteaters rank 235th (18.5).
  • UC Irvine ranks 37th in blocks per game (4.6) while Butler ranks 164th (2.0).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (5.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
  • The Anteaters’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.8, up from 8.5 for the season.