CSUN Matadors vs UC Riverside Highlanders Betting Pick & Prediction 1/20/24
Looking to win big? The Matadors and Highlanders face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Highlanders are hosting the game at SRC Arena in Riverside, CA. The over/under for this Big West conference contest is set at 152.5 points, with the Highlanders being the favored team playing at home against the Matadors.
CSUN MATADORS VS UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: UC Riverside Highlanders -3
This game will be played at SRC Arena at 8:00 ET on Saturday, January 20th.
WHY BET THE UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-68 in favor of the Highlanders.
- Not only will UC Riverside pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -3.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.
Does CSUN Stand a Chance on the Road?
CSUN enters this game with a 13-5 record, including a 4-2 mark in Big West play. The Matadors have been better on the road this season, going 6-3 compared to 5-2 at home. They are coming off a 97-69 loss to UC Santa Barbara.
As an underdog this season, CSUN is 5-3, and they have gone 6-4 in their last 10 road games. For the year, they have an average scoring margin of +2.3 points per game on the road.
As the underdog this season, CSUN has an ATS record of 7-1. On the road, the Matadors are 8-1 vs. the spread this year and 8-2 in their last 10 road games. Overall, their ATS mark is 13-3.
CSUN’s over/under record for the season is 8-8, and today’s line of 152.5 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (149). So far, 11 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s line. However, the over/under record for their last three games is 3-0, and the average scoring total in those games is 160 points.
Against UC Santa Barbara, the CSUN had a tough time putting up points compared to their season average of 79.2 points per game. They scored 69 points and posted a field goal percentage of 39.1% in the game. Leading the team in scoring is De’Sean Allen-Eikens, who is averaging 18 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Dionte Bostick also maintains a PPG average of 15 heading into game.
At this time, the Matadors’ defense is positioned 176th in the country, permitting 72.5 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 7.8 threes per game vs. UC Riverside. This has come on three-point shooting percentage of 29.3%.
Will UC Riverside Live Up to Expectations at Home?
UC Riverside enters this game as a three-point favorite, and they have gone 5-2 in their seven games as the favorite this season. Overall, the Highlanders are 7-12, and they have lost two straight games.
At home, UC Riverside has been much better than on the road, going 6-2 compared to 0-10 on the road. Their average scoring margin at home is +3.8, and they have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games at home.
UC Riverside’s ATS record this season is 8-10. At home, they are 5-3 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Highlanders are 4-6 ATS.
This season, the over/under record for UC Riverside games is 11-7, and today’s line of 152.5 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (137.1). So far, 16 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 1-2 with an average scoring total of 127 points.
Coming off their recent game, the UC Riverside offense tallied 56 points in a matchup against Bakersfield. Their field goal percentage for the game was 29.2%, and they made 6 threes. Leading UC Riverside in scoring vs. Bakersfield was Benjamin Griscti with his 16 points. Nate Pickens also added 11 points for the Highlanders.
Coming into today’s game, the UC Riverside defense is giving up an average of 72.1 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, UC Riverside’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 44.7% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 36.4% this season.