The UC Irvine Anteaters (4-9) will try to put an end to their six-game road losing streak when they clash against the Montana Grizzlies (6-4), who look to continue their five-game home winning streak. Montana opened as a 7-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 139 points. Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Montana Grizzlies Odds Preview
In the Anteaters last game, they were beaten by the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 73-66. UC Irvine’s Eyassu Worku put together a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 13 points on 6-for-14 shooting. Saint Mary’s did a fantastic job of making free throws (22-29; 75.9 percent). UC Irvine, on the other hand, held the Gaels to an effective field goal percentage of 0.455 (below their season average of 0.588).
The Grizzlies hope to maintain momentum after defeating the UC Riverside Highlanders in their last outing, 77-61. Montana was lifted by Jamar Akoh, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Montana played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 39.3 (above their season average of 33.8) and a free throw rate of 0.500 (above their season average of 0.250). For those same stats, UC Riverside was 17.1 and 0.308, respectively.
The physical Montana offense could be living from the foul line in this contest. The Grizzlies rank 98th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.270, while UC Irvine is among the nations most foul-prone squads (giving up a 316th-ranked FTA rate of 0.303). Moreover, the Anteaters rank 58th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.465), while the Grizzlies rank 297th in effective field goal percentage (0.476).
Of UC Irvine’s 10 games with betting action, five have finished over the O/U total, while 5 of Montana’s 8 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Grizzlies have a sizable advantage. They are 6-4 SU and 4-4 ATS, while the Anteaters are 4-9 SU and 3-6-1 ATS.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Montana Grizzlies Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Anteaters average 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 35th in the NCAA. The Grizzlies rank 158th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- Montana ranks 42nd in steals per game (7.9) while UC Irvine ranks 157th (5.5).
- Montana ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (14.1) while UC Irvine ranks 162nd (22.6).
- The Anteaters rank 11th in rebounds per game (42.3) while the Grizzlies rank 153rd (35.5).
- Montana ranks 15th in assists allowed per game (10.5) while UC Irvine ranks 141st (14.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Grizzlies average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 2.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Anteaters have scored an average of 72.2 points per game (0.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (3.5 below their season average).
