Denver Pioneers vs Portland Pilots NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/1/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Pioneers versus the Pilots? Tip off is at at 5:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Chiles Center in Portland, OR. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 148.5 points, and Portland is favored by -6.5 vs. Denver.
DENVER PIONEERS VS PORTLAND PILOTS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Portland Pilots -6.5
This game will be played at Chiles Center at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 1st.
WHY BET THE PORTLAND PILOTS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Pilots.
- Not only will Portland pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 148.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.
Can the Pioneers Pull Off a Road Win?
Denver Pioneers Recent Game/Games
Denver dropped a 68-54 decision to Utah Tech on Tuesday, November 26th. The Pioneers, who were +2.5 point underdogs, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 122 fell well short of the 150.5-point over/under line.
Denver trailed 39-29 at halftime and couldn’t make up ground in the 2nd half, scoring just 25 points while allowing 29.
Denver’s offense struggled in their last game, managing just 54 points on 37.3% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 41.2%, with a 26.7% mark from beyond the arc, hitting only 4 of 15 attempts.
Beon Riley stood out, shooting 77.8% overall and grabbing 11 rebounds, while also hitting his only three-point attempt. The Pioneers recorded just 8 assists and 8 offensive rebounds, with a free-throw percentage of 66.7%.
Denver’s defense held their opponent to 68 points on 37% shooting from the field, including 41% from two-point range. They also limited the damage from beyond the arc, with the other team hitting just 4 of 15 threes for 26%.
From the free-throw line, Denver’s opponent went 12/18, shooting 66%. The Pioneers gave up 8 offensive rebounds in the game.
Does Portland Have What it Takes at Home?
Portland Pilots Recent Game/Games
The Pilots dropped their recent game to Princeton, losing 94-67 on Sunday, November 24th. Portland went into the game as +11.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 161, surpassing the over/under line of 148.5.
Portland fell behind early, trailing 52-29 at halftime. In the second half, they scored 38 points but allowed 42, unable to close the gap.
Portland’s offense put up 67 points in their last game, shooting 42% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 50%. They hit 56.5% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 29.6% of their threes (8/27). At the free-throw line, they were solid, making 81% of their attempts (17/21).
CJ Happy led the way with 16 points in just 18 minutes, shooting 77.8% overall and 50% from three. Caden Pierce added 15 points, hitting 75% of his shots and 3 of 4 from deep. Blake Peters contributed 14 points, knocking down 4 threes on 10 attempts.
Portland’s defense struggled, giving up 94 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 50% from the field. The Pilots couldn’t contain the two-point attack, with opponents hitting 71% of their shots inside the arc.
From three-point range, Portland’s defense allowed 16 threes on 44 attempts, a 36% shooting rate. The Pilots also sent the other team to the line 10 times, where they made 6 free throws.