The Santa Clara Broncos (3-5) will be at home in Leavey Center when they go head-to-head with the Portland State Vikings (5-2). Santa Clara opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 152 points. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
Portland State Vikings at Santa Clara Broncos Odds Preview
,
The last time the Vikings played, they were victorious over the Loyola Marymount Lions, 94-85. Bryce Canda was Portland State’s leading scorer with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Portland State played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 19.7 (worse than their season average of 14.6) and a free throw rate of 0.368 (above their season average of 0.244). Loyola Marymount had marks of 29.1 and 0.275, respectively, for those same stats.
The Broncos will look to maintain momentum after topping the UAPB Golden Lions in their last contest, 72-57. Santa Clara’s KJ Feagin had a good game, contributing 19 points and five assists. Santa Clara dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.9 (below their season average of 23.6) and a turnover percentage of 21.3 (worse than their season average of 15.0). For those same stats, UAPB recorded marks of 5.0 and 31.2, respectively.
Ball protection could play a significant role in this matchup. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, Santa Clara has committed the 28th-fewest miscues in the nation (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Portland State has forced the 22nd-most (opponents turnover percentage of 23.1 percent). It will also be a tale of two paces as the up-and-down Vikings rank seventh in possessions per game, while the more methodical Broncos rank 341st.
Games featuring these teams tend to go over the projected point total. Portland State games have finished over 57.1 percent of the time, while 60.0 percent of Santa Clara games have finished over. The Vikings hold a clear advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 5-2 SU and 7-0 ATS, while the Broncos are 3-5 SU and 1-4 ATS.
Portland State Vikings vs. Santa Clara Broncos Prediction
,
Predictions: SU Winner – Portland State, ATS Winner – Portland State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Broncos average 14.5 assists per game, which ranks 104th in the NCAA. The Vikings rank 284th in assists allowed per game (16.2).
- Portland State ranks 187th in blocks per game (3.0) while Santa Clara ranks 264th (1.9).
- Portland State ranks fourth in steals per game (10.1) while Santa Clara ranks 237th (5.2).
- The Broncos rank 15th in three pointers allowed per game (17.2) while the Vikings rank 231st (22.9).
- Santa Clara ranks 80th in rebounds allowed per game (33.5) while Portland State ranks 281st (38.6).
