The UC Riverside Highlanders (7-19, 2-10 BigWst) will attempt to end a six-game home losing streak when they take on the Cal State Fullerton Titans (15-9, 8-4 BigWst) at Student Recreation Center. Cal State Fullerton is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 136 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.
Cal State Fullerton Titans at UC Riverside Highlanders Odds Preview
The Titans easily got past the CSUN Matadors in their last game, 88-70. With 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, Jackson Rowe had a good game for Cal State Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.1 (better than their season average of 18.8) and a free throw rate of 0.350 (above their season average of 0.327). CSUN recorded marks of 23.9 and 0.157, respectively, for those same stats.
The last time the Highlanders played, they were blown out by the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, 74-69. Chance Murray was UC Riverside’s high scorer with 21 points on 6-for-15 shooting. Hawaii had a better free throw rate (0.286 vs. 0.213). UC Riverside, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.6 (above their season average of 27.2).
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, UC Riverside figures to have a significant advantage. The Highlanders defense ranks 42nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.475), while the Cal State Fullerton offense is ranked 145th in effective field goal percentage (0.521). Moreover, the Titans are among the nations best at getting to the line, ranking first in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.328). The Highlanders, meanhwile, rank 253rd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents FTA rate of 0.259.
Games featuring these teams tend to go under the projected point total. Cal State Fullerton games have finished under 70.0 percent of the time, while 66.7 percent of UC Riverside games have gone under. The Titans come into this game with a significant advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 15-9 SU and 13-7 ATS, while the Highlanders are 7-19 SU and 10-11 ATS.
Kyle Allman Jr. has really been playing well over the last five games for Cal State Fullerton, averaging 23.8 points and 1.4 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to score 133 points in that game, which was under the projected point total of 142.5. The Titans won 68-65, but were unable to cover as 8-point favorites. Cal State Fullerton had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.570 vs. 0.424). UC Riverside, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 18.9). DJ Sylvester scored a game-high 24 points.
Cal State Fullerton Titans vs. UC Riverside Highlanders ATS Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Cal State Fullerton, ATS Winner – Cal State Fullerton, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Cal State Fullerton is 8-4 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 4 overs.
- At home, UC Riverside is 4-6 ATS with 6 unders and 4 overs.
- Cal State Fullerton ranks 76th in rebounds allowed per game (33.1) while UC Riverside ranks 283rd (39.2).
- The Titans average 6.3 steals per game, which ranks 115th in the NCAA. The Highlanders rank 173rd in steals allowed per game (6.9).
- UC Riverside ranks 254th in three pointers attempted per game (18.9) while Cal State Fullerton ranks 297th (16.2).
Betting Trends:
- UC Riverside is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games. ,
- Over their last five games, Cal State Fullerton is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Highlanders average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 5.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Titans have scored an average of 71.6 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.8 points per game (6.3 below their season average).
