The UC Riverside Highlanders (10-22, 4-12 BigWst), 14.5-point underdogs, take on the UC Irvine Anteaters (27-5, 15-1 BigWst) in the Big West Conference Tourney at Honda Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 127 points and it can be seen on ESPN 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
UC Riverside Highlanders vs. UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Odds
The Highlanders edged the UC Davis Aggies in their last matchup, 71-70, despite being 9-point underdogs. The Anteaters, meanwhile, topped the CSUN Matadors in their last game,86-74, but were unable to cover as 13-point favorites. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The UC Riverside game finished 14.5 points over the projected point total of 126.5, while the UC Irvine game finished 16.5 points over the projected point total of 143.5.
UC Riverside played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.8 (below their season average of 27.5) and a free throw rate of 0.118 (below their season average of 0.166). UC Davis was 14.8 and 0.091, respectively, for those same stats. Meanwhile, UC Irvine dominated nearly every stat category in their game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.521 (above their season average of 0.513) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.8 (below their season average of 34.4). CSUN was 0.428 and 24.5, respectively, for those same stats. UC Irvine was led by Evan Leonard, who recorded 17 points. Meanwhile, Menno Dijkstra had a good game for UC Riverside, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Of the Highlanders’ 28 games with betting action, 16 have gone under the O/U total. UC Riverside heads into the contest with records of 10-22 straight up (SU) and 12-14-2 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Anteaters games have also finished under the O/U total. Further, UC Irvine owns records of 27-5 SU and 18-13 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams clash. UC Irvine ranks 290th in possessions per game (66.7) and UC Riverside is 346th (64.1).
UC Riverside Highlanders vs. UC Irvine Anteaters ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UC Irvine ranks ninth in rebounds per game (40.7) while UC Riverside ranks 274th (31.8).
- The Highlanders rank 144th in three pointers attempted per game (22.6) while the Anteaters rank 272nd (19.1).
- UC Irvine ranks 28th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while UC Riverside ranks 53rd (5.5).
- The Anteaters rank 39th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Highlanders rank 224th (1.8).
- UC Irvine ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (9.7) while UC Riverside ranks 174th (13.5).
Bettings Trends:
- The Anteaters are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Highlanders are 2-3.
- In their last five games, UC Irvine has 3 unders and 2 overs, while UC Riverside has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Anteaters have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (7.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 57.6 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
- The Highlanders’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 3.3 for the season.
