BigWst foes will clash when the UC Davis Aggies (18-9, 9-4 BigWst) square off with the UC Riverside Highlanders (8-19, 3-10 BigWst) at The Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
UC Riverside Highlanders vs. UC Davis Aggies Free Preview
In the Highlanders last game, they defeated the Cal State Fullerton Titans, 69-65. Dikymbe Martin led UC Riverside in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting. The Highlanders forced 20 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.382 (above their season average of 0.227).
The Aggies hope to maintain momentum after defeating the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in their last game, 71-54. With 20 points on 9-for-10 shooting, TJ Shorts II was the top scorer from either team. UC Davis effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over UC Santa Barbara. The Aggies had a rate of 0.627 (above their season average of 0.522), while the Gauchos posted a mark of 0.386 (below their season average of 0.538).
The aggressive UC Davis offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Aggies rank 27th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.293, while UC Riverside ranks 255th in FTA rate allowed (0.260). Furthermore, the Highlanders rank 339th in offensive efficiency (93.9), while the Aggies rank 56th in defensive efficiency (98.3).
Shorts II has been playing at a high level over the last five games for UC Davis, averaging 20.2 points, 6.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The Aggies won 75-65. The Aggies played a flawless game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.420 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.540. The Highlanders were 0.153 and 0.475, respectively, for those same stats. Chima Moneke was the games leading scorer with 21 points.
UC Riverside Highlanders at UC Davis Aggies Odds Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – UC Davis, ATS Winner – UC Davis, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- UC Davis ranks 134th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4) while UC Riverside ranks 281st (39.1).
- The Aggies rank 43rd in steals per game (7.4) while the Highlanders rank 161st in steals allowed per game (6.9).
- UC Riverside ranks 256th in three pointers attempted per game (18.7) while UC Davis ranks 290th (16.6).
Betting Trends:
- The Aggies average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 5.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Highlanders have scored an average of 64.6 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.6 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
