The Denver Pioneers (3-5) will be at home in Magness Arena when they meet the San Jose State Spartans (2-5). Denver is a 10.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144 points. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
San Jose State Spartans at Denver Pioneers Odds Preview
In the Spartans last matchup, they lost big to the Southern Illinois Salukis, 76-58. Jaycee Hillsman put together a good game for San Jose State, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Southern Illinois had an effective field goal percentage of 0.561 (above their season average of 0.492). San Jose State, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (19-27; 70.4 percent).
The Pioneers are trying to rebound after their 61-59 loss to the Air Force Falcons in their last matchup. Joe Rosga was Denver’s leading scorer with 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Air Force forced the Pioneers into a turnover percentage of 31.3 (above their season average of 21.2). Denver, on the other hand, made 11 of their 26 three pointers (42.3 percent).
Denver appears to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Pioneers rank 37th in effective field goal percentage (0.543), while San Jose State ranks 232nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.512) dating back to last season.
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Games involving San Jose State have gone under 66.7 percent of the time, while 57.1 percent of Denver games have gone over. The Pioneers have the better straight up (SU) record (3-5 vs. 2-5), but the Spartans hold the significant advantage against the spread (ATS) (3-3 vs. 2-5).
The Pioneers won the lone game against the Spartans last season, 74-69. The Pioneers dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.280 and a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.600. For those same stats, the Spartans were 0.194 and 0.460, respectively.
San Jose State Spartans at Denver Pioneers Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Denver, ATS Winner – San Jose State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Pioneers average 14.8 assists per game, which ranks 87th in the nation. The Spartans rank 156th in assists allowed per game (13.2).
- Denver ranks 17th in rebounds allowed per game (31.2) while San Jose State ranks 75th (33.5).
- San Jose State ranks 52nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while Denver ranks 246th (22.8).
- The Spartans rank 80th in blocks per game (4.0) while the Pioneers rank 271st (2.1).
- San Jose State ranks 173rd in steals per game (6.1) while Denver ranks 286th (4.8).
