Offense meets defense when the Saint Mary’s Gaels (3-3) welcome the UC Irvine Anteaters (6-1) to McKeon Pavilion. The game begins at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
UC Irvine Anteaters vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Free Prediction
The Anteaters are hoping for a better outcome after their 67-60 loss to the Toledo Rockets in their last game. Toledo’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over UC Irvine. The Rockets had a rate of 0.484 (below their season average of 0.594), while the Anteaters posted a mark of 0.406 (below their season average of 0.529). Jonathan Galloway had a good performance for UC Irvine, putting up 10 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Gaels’ last game, they lost to the Harvard Crimson, 74-68. Harvard’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Saint Mary’s. The Crimson had a rate of 0.592 (above their season average of 0.551), while the Gaels posted a mark of 0.473. Saint Mary’s’ Malik Fitts put together a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 27 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
The Gaels won the lone game against the Anteaters last season, 73-66. Saint Mary’s did a great job of getting and making free throws (22-29; 75.9 percent). UC Irvine, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.537 vs. 0.455).
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Saint Mary’s takes on the elite defense of UC Irvine. Since the 2017-18 season, the Gaels rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Anteaters are 24th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Anteaters have been among the country’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 35th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.9 percent). The Gaels, however, rank 11th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.9 percent).
UC Irvine Anteaters at Saint Mary’s Gaels Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Saint Mary’s, ATS Winner – Saint Mary’s, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
UC Irvine ranks fifth in rebounds per game (41.6) while Saint Mary’s ranks 250th (33.7).
The Anteaters rank 56th in blocks per game (4.2) while the Gaels rank 248th (2.4).
Saint Mary’s ranks 97th in assists per game (14.6) while UC Irvine ranks 243rd (12.6).
The Gaels rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (17.5) while the Anteaters rank 78th (20.4).
UC Irvine ranks 255th in steals per game (5.3) while Saint Mary’s ranks 283rd (4.8).
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