The Montana State Bobcats (5-4) will try to put an end to the six-game winning streak of UC Santa Barbara when they welcome the Gauchos (7-2) to Max Worthington Arena. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Montana State Bobcats ATS Preview
In the Gauchos last outing, they defeated the Omaha Mavericks, 77-70. With 22 points and 13 rebounds, UC Santa Barbara’s Leland King had a good performance. UC Santa Barbara played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.197 (matching their season average) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9 (above their season average of 27.6). Omaha had marks of 0.076 and 21.1, respectively, for those same stats.
The Bobcats are hoping for a better outcome after their 75-48 loss to the Central Michigan Chippewas in their last contest. With seven points and 10 rebounds, Zach Green had a solid performance for Montana State. Central Michigan held the Bobcats to an effective field goal percentage of 0.297 (below their season average of 0.537). Montana State, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0 (above their season average of 30.8).
It will be a battle of opposite paces as the fast-breaking Bobcats will look to push the more half-court-oriented Gauchos. Since the 2016-17 season, the Bobcats rank 62nd in possessions per game while the Gauchos are 251st. Also, the Gauchos have been among the NCAA’s best at getting to the line, ranking 49th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.208). The Bobcats, meanhwile, rank 346th in opponents FTA rate (0.344).
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Montana State Bobcats Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Montana State, ATS Winner – Montana State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Gauchos average 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 149th in the NCAA. The Bobcats rank 215th in rebounds allowed per game (36.4).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 61st in blocks per game (2.6) while Montana State ranks 237th (2.4).
- The Bobcats rank 38th in three pointers attempted per game (25.4) while the Gauchos rank 203rd (19.3).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Montana State ranks 120th (6.0).
