UC Riverside Highlanders vs BYU Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24
Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Highlanders and Cougars. The game is starting at 9:00 ET on None, and it’s hosted by the Cougars at Marriott Center in Provo, UT. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 153 points, and BYU is favored by -21 against UC Riverside in a non-conference matchup.
UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS VS BYU COUGARS BETTING PICK
The Pick: UC Riverside Highlanders +21
This game will be played at Marriott Center at 9:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.
WHY BET THE UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Highlanders.
- Not only will UC Riverside pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +21.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 153 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Is a Win at Provo Possible for the Highlanders?
UC Riverside Highlanders Recent Game/Games
UC Riverside dropped their season opener on Monday, falling 91-76 to Oregon on the road. The Highlanders entered the game as +17 point underdogs but managed to keep the final margin closer than expected.
After trailing 51-36 at halftime, UC Riverside matched Oregon’s 40 points in the 2nd half. The combined 167 points in the game went over the pre-game total of 144.5.
In their latest game, UC Riverside put up 76 points, shooting 44.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.8%. They connected on 35.3% of their three-point attempts, going 12-for-34, while hitting 54.8% of their shots inside the arc. At the free-throw line, the Highlanders struggled, making just 6 of 12 attempts.
Kwame Evans Jr. led the way with 23 points in 20 minutes, shooting 53.3% overall and 40% from three. Barrington Hargress added 20 points, also hitting 40% from deep, while Brandon Angel was efficient, going 5-for-6 from the field for 17 points. Nate Bittle contributed 16 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.
Despite UC Riverside’s defensive efforts, they allowed 91 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 50% from the field, connecting on 33 of 66 attempts.
Inside the arc, the Highlanders gave up 27 two-point baskets on 47 attempts, a 57% shooting rate. From three-point range, the opposition hit 6 of 19 shots, good for 31%.
Pressure Builds for BYU as Home Favorites
BYU Cougars Recent Game/Games
BYU opened their season with an 88-50 win over Central Arkansas on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Cougars were -34 point favorites and covered the spread. The game’s total points fell short of the 155-point over/under line, finishing at 138.
BYU took control early, leading 46-23 at halftime, and continued their strong play in the second half, outscoring the Bears 42-27.
BYU put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 45.8% from the field. They connected on 15 of 44 three-point attempts, hitting 34.1% from deep, while their two-point shooting was a strong 64.3% (18/28). Their effective field goal percentage stood at 55.6%.
The Cougars grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and dished out 21 assists. Elias Cato led the way with 21 points, shooting 69.2% overall and 50% from three. Egor Demin added 18 points and 11 assists, hitting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
BYU’s defense held their opponent to 50 points, even though they shot 45% from the field, making 33 of 72 attempts. The Cougars allowed 18 two-point baskets on 28 attempts, a 64% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, BYU’s opponent hit 15 of 44 threes, shooting 34%. They also went 7/11 from the free-throw line, shooting 63%. BYU gave up 20 offensive rebounds in the game.