The Oakland Golden Grizzlies (19-10) bring the regular season to an end on the road at UIC Pavilion when they face off with the UIC Flames (5-21). The game starts at 5:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 21.
The Flames lost to Detroit 83-72 on Friday. Tai Odiase had a good game in defeat for UIC, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds to earn his fourth double-double of the season. The Golden Grizzlies, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their tough 86-84 loss to Valparaiso on Friday. Kahlil Felder had a good shooting night, leading the game with 26 points.
Over the last five games, Odiase has been playing at a high level for the Flames, averaging 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.2 blocks.
The Golden Grizzlies should minimize miscues in this matchup. They rank 18th in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.5%). Meanwhile, UIC forces the 31st-fewest mistakes in the nation, with just 15.9% of opponents’ possessions ending in a turnover.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Golden Grizzlies winning the first matchup 86-61. Felder was a standout player in the game, producing 26 points, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.
The Flames have gone 5-21 Straight Up (SU) and 10-15 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 8-1-1 ATS. UIC has averaged 91.0 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 67.7. Teams have a tough time keeping UIC off of the offensive glass. They rank 13th in Division I in offensive rebounds. As for the UIC defense, an area where the Flames are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 5.3 blocks per game, 23rd in Division I.
As for their opponent, the Golden Grizzlies have 19-10 SU and 18-5-1 ATS records. They sport the top-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 87.1 points per game. The Golden Grizzlies are an excellent long-range shooting team with 260 three-point shots made (8.0 per game), ranking 15th in Division I. The Golden Grizzlies are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 42nd in Division I at 1.35. Defensive rebounding is an area where Oakland has excelled. The Golden Grizzlies average 27.5 defensive rebounds per game, making them one of the best in the nation. One advantage for the Golden Grizzlies could be UIC’s high fouls per game average of 22.0.
Oakland beat UIC in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over their most recent meetings to 6-1. Furthermore, with a 4-2 record, Oakland has the advantage ATS. UIC and Oakland each held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once over the last five matchups.
Predictions: SU Winner – Oak, ATS Winner – Oak
Notes
Oakland tops the nation in scoring, putting up 87.1 points per game. UIC allows 77.6 points on average (ranked 230th).
In its last game, Oakland lost by a margin of two points. UIC is 2-3 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Oakland has a 1-2 record in close games.
Oakland beats UIC in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Golden Grizzlies average 74.5 possessions and 1.169 points per possession, while the Flames average 72.6 possessions with .932 points per possession.
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies average an effective field goal percentage of 52.8% this season. The UIC Flames are a winless 0-6 when opponents have an eFG% of 52.8% or greater.
The UIC Flames average 14.0 three point attempts per game, while the Oakland Golden Grizzlies attempt 22.0. When attempting 20 or more three pointers in a game, UIC is a losing 2-5, while Oakland is an even 10-10.
Oakland ranks 42nd in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.35. UIC is ranked lower at 318th with an A/TO of .80.
UIC, the 12th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 41.5 rebounds per game. Oakland ranks 42nd with 39.8.
Oakland ranks 101st in offensive rebounds, while UIC ranks at 48th in defensive rebounds.
On average, UIC forces a turnover rate of 15.9%. When Oakland turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 8-4 record.
