The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (8-4) will be at home when they take on the South Dakota Coyotes (7-5). Action gets underway at 10:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
The Runnin’ Rebels were beaten by Arizona 82-70 on Saturday. Ike Nwamu finished with 17 points to lead the team. The Coyotes, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 91-79 loss to Illinois on Saturday. Tre Burnette led the team in scoring with 27 points.
This one isn’t expected to be close when UNLV, a big 11-point favorite, takes on South Dakota. The matchup currently has a 144-point Over/Under (O/U). The Runnin’ Rebels enter the game with records of 8-4 Straight Up (SU) and 6-5 Against The Spread (ATS). Opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Runnin’ Rebels, ranking 30th in the country in blocks per game with 5.7.
As for their opponent, the Coyotes have 7-5 SU and 5-4 ATS records. They sport the 25th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.4 points per game. The Coyotes are shooting very well so far with a .386 three-point field goal percentage that ranks 46th in Division I. The Coyotes rarely make costly errors handling the ball. They have the 35th-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country at 1.43.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time these two played, UNLV won, moving its SU record against the Coyotes to 1-0. The Runnin’ Rebels also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – UNLV, ATS Winner – SouDak, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UNLV’s last 5 games.
UNLV is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home.
South Dakota is one of the top-scoring teams on the road, averaging 79.4 points per game (ranked 25th). UNLV, on the other hand, allows 63.9 points per home game (ranked 108th).
South Dakota beats UNLV in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Coyotes average 73.2 possessions and 1.070 points per possession, while the Runnin’ Rebels average 72.6 possessions with 1.050 points per possession.
The South Dakota Coyotes average an effective field goal percentage of 54.3% this season. The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels have split their games this season (1-1) when opponents have an eFG% of 54.3% or greater.
On average, UNLV attempts 19.0 three pointers and South Dakota attempts 19.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels have a solid 4-2 record while the South Dakota Coyotes have a losing 1-3 record.
South Dakota ranks 35th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.43. UNLV is ranked lower at 153rd with an A/TO of 1.10.
South Dakota records 5.7 steals per game. UNLV is 6-4 when allowing at least 5 steals.
