The nation’s top team will be on the road when the Cal State Northridge Matadors (2-3) head to Albert Gersten Pavilion to square off against the Loyola Marymount Lions (2-2). The game starts at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
The Lions won big over Antelope Valley 86-62 on Sunday. Jeffery McClendon played well, contributing nine points, seven rebounds, and two assists for the Lions. The Matadors are coming off an ugly 96-61 loss to USC on Monday. Olalekan Ajayi scored 12 points and recorded 14 rebounds earning his second double-double of the season.
Loyola Marymount is a five-point favorite against Cal State Northridge and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is set at 146 points. The Lions have gone 2-2 Straight Up (SU) and 2-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Lions are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting a superb .772 from the free throw line. Turning to the defensive side, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Lions, who allow a Division I-low field goal percentage of only .464.
On the other side, the Matadors head into the game with records of 1-3 ATS and 2-3 SU. Teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Matadors, who are the top team in the nation in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .432.
Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge will be facing off for their first head-to-head game in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – LyMnt, ATS Winner – LyMnt, O/U – Over
Notes
Loyola Marymount is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games.
In its last game, Loyola Marymount won by a margin of 24 points. Cal State Northridge is 1-1 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Loyola Marymount also has a 1-1 record in blowouts.
The Loyola Marymount Lions have the nation’s top defense, with a defensive rating of 106.2. The Cal State Northridge Matadors have an offensive rating of 99.5 (ranked 264th).
The Cal State Northridge Matadors average a field goal percentage of 44.7% this season. The Loyola Marymount Lions have split their games this season (1-1) when opponents have a FG% of 44.7% or greater.
The Loyola Marymount Lions and the Cal State Northridge Matadors both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Loyola Marymount is 301st and 296th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Cal State Northridge ranks 231st and 158th in these categories.
The Cal State Northridge Matadors average 6.0 steals per game. When giving up 6 or more steals, the Loyola Marymount Lions are an even 1-1 this season.
