Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs California Baptist Lancers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/20/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Thunderbirds versus the Lancers? Tip off is at at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center in Riverside, CA. The over/under for this Western Athletic conference contest is set at 144.5 points, with the Lancers being the favored team playing at home against the Thunderbirds.
SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS VS CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Southern Utah Thunderbirds +8.5
This game will be played at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, January 20th.
WHY BET THE SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 73-71 in favor of the Thunderbirds.
- Not only will Southern Utah pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +8.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 144.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.
Can the Thunderbirds Lock in a Road Win?
After winning their last game against Utah Tech by a score of 75-65, Southern Utah is 6-11 overall and 1-5 in Western Athletic Conference play. The Thunderbirds have struggled on the road this season, going just 1-8 away from home. Their average scoring differential on the road is -5.6 points per game.
Coming into this game, Southern Utah has lost five straight games on the road, and they are 0-5 in their last five road contests. Over their last 10 games away from home, the Thunderbirds are 2-8.
As the underdog, Southern Utah has been a solid bet vs. the spread this season, going 8-3. They have also been strong on the road, posting an ATS mark of 7-2 this year. In their last 10 games as the underdog, the Thunderbirds have an impressive ATS record of 7-3.
This season, the over/under record in Southern Utah games is 10-5. So far, the average scoring total in their games is 152.3 points. Today’s over/under line of 144.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games this season (146.4). Over their last three games, their games have averaged 149 points compared to their season average of 152.3 points per game.
Coming off their recent game, the Southern Utah offense tallied 75 points in a matchup against Utah Tech. Their field goal percentage for the game was 35.2%, and they made 7 threes. Coming into the game, the Thunderbirds offense has strugled with their outside shot this season, hitting threes at a rate of just 30%. On average, they get up 22.8 three-point attempts per game and are averaging 16.8 made free-throws.
So far, the Thunderbirds’ defense is ranked 282nd in the country at 78.2 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Southern Utah’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 47.4% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 29.6% this season.
Will California Baptist Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?
California Baptist has been a much stronger team at home this season compared to on the road. Through nine home games, the Lancers have an average scoring margin of +6.6 points per game, and they have won three straight games at home. Overall, they enter this game with a 10-7 record, including a 3-3 mark in Western Athletic Conference play.
Coming off a 68-53 win over Abilene Christian, California Baptist is favored by 8.5 points in this game, and they have gone 7-3 this season when favored. They have gone 6-3 at home this season, and they have gone 7-3 in their last 10 home games.
California Baptist’s ATS record this season is 6-9, but they have gone 4-5 vs. the spread at home. Over their last three games at home, the Lancers are 3-0 ATS. As the favorite, their ATS record is 4-6 this year and 4-6 over their last 10 games as the favorite.
So far this season, the over/under record for California Baptist games is 6-9 and the average over/under line in their games is 137.4. Today’s over/under line of 144.5 is higher than the average over/under line in their games so far. In their last three games, the average scoring total is 117 points.
Coming off their recent game, the California Baptist offense tallied 68 points in a matchup against Abilene Christian. Their field goal percentage for the game was 40.4%, and they made 5 threes. Offensively, the Lancers hold a season-long field goal percentage of 41%, placing them 364th in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 346th in terms of percentage and 290th in three-pointers made.
At this time, the Lancers’ defense is positioned 20th in the country, permitting 63.6 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 4.1 threes per game vs. Southern Utah. This has come on three-point shooting percentage of 28.9%.