BigWst foes will collide when the UC Irvine Anteaters (11-14, 6-3 BigWst) go head-to-head against the CSUN Matadors (5-18, 2-7 BigWst) at Bren Events Center. UC Irvine is a 14.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 131 points. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
CSUN Matadors vs. UC Irvine Anteaters Odds Preview
The Matadors were blown out by the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in their last matchup, 75-51. With 16 points on 7-for-17 shooting, Tavrion Dawson led CSUN in scoring. UC Santa Barbara had an offensive rebounding percentage of 43.6 (above their season average of 29.2). CSUN, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.190 vs. 0.108).
The last time the Anteaters played, they topped the Cal State Fullerton Titans, 63-58. UC Irvine received a boost from Evan Leonard, who finished with 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds. UC Irvine dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.6 (below their season average of 33.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.412 (below their season average of 0.500). Cal State Fullerton put up marks of 25.6 and 0.371, respectively, for those same stats.
UC Irvine could have their way on the defensive side of the ball as they square off against one of the worst offenses in the NCAA. The Anteaters currently rank 15th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.456), while CSUN is 311th in effective field goal percentage (0.476). Furthermore, put-back points could be few and far between for the Matadors. They rank 317th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 23.7 percent, while the Anteaters are 46th-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 75.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Matadors, it’s been Dawson, who has averaged 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds, while the Anteaters have received solid contributions from Tommy Rutherford (14.8 points and 7.0 rebounds).
These teams have already met once this season. The Anteaters won 71-54. UC Irvine won the rebounding battle. The Anteaters had 15 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the Matadors had six and 23, respectively. Leonard was the games leading scorer with 20 points.
CSUN Matadors at UC Irvine Anteaters Free Prediction
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Matadors rank 17th in three pointers allowed per game (17.9) while the Anteaters rank 78th (20.3).
- UC Irvine ranks sixth in rebounds per game (41.4) while CSUN ranks 267th (32.1).
- The Anteaters average 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 56th in the nation. The Matadors rank 145th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
- UC Irvine ranks 177th in assists per game (13.1) while CSUN ranks 239th (11.9).
Betting Trends:
- The Anteaters average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 1.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Matadors have scored an average of 60.2 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.0 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
