It will be a battle between WCC opponents when the Pacific Tigers (7-10, 2-2 WCC) welcome the San Diego Toreros (12-4, 3-1 WCC) to Spanos Center. The game is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018.
San Diego opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137.5 points.
San Diego Toreros vs. Pacific Tigers Free Prediction
In the Toreros’ last contest, they were beaten by the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 70-63. Saint Mary’s’ 23.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over San Diego, who had a rate of 14.3. The Gaels’ mark was below their season average of 30.9, while the Toreros’ was below their season average of 25.4. Juwan Gray put together a solid game for San Diego, recording 16 points.
The Tigers won a close one over the BYU Cougars in their last matchup, 67-66. Pacific’s 11.7 turnover percentage was their largest strength over BYU, who had a mark of 16.1. The Tigers’ mark was better than their season average of 16.1. Jahlil Tripp led Pacific in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the nation’s slowest-paced teams face off. Pacific ranks 259th in possessions per game (68.7) and San Diego is 266th (68.3). Also, the Toreros rank second in opponents’ effective field goal percentage (0.411), while the Tigers rank 268th in effective field goal percentage (0.489).
San Diego comes into the game with records of 12-4 straight up (SU) and 6-5 against the spread (ATS). Of the Toreros’ 11 games that accepted bets, six have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Pacific is 7-10 SU and 7-8-1 ATS. Of the Tigers’ 16 games that accepted bets, 9 have finished over the projected point total.
Isaiah Wright has averaged 17.2 points, 7.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for San Diego.
After the Tigers won both meetings against the Toreros last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the most recent game, Pacific won 61-58. Pacific had a better effective field goal percentage (0.490 vs. 0.407). San Diego, meanwhile, had a much better free throw rate (0.535 vs. 0.265).
San Diego Toreros vs. Pacific Tigers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – San Diego, ATS Winner – San Diego, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
San Diego is 3-2 ATS on the road with 3 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Pacific is 4-4 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
San Diego ranks 77th in three pointers attempted per game (24.3) while Pacific ranks 271st (13.9).
The Toreros rank second in assists allowed per game (8.3) while the Tigers rank 187th (14.8).
San Diego ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while Pacific ranks 77th (3.3).
The Tigers are 39th in the NCAA with 5.3 steals allowed per game while the Toreros are 49th with 5.4 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Diego is 2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under.
Pacific is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Toreros’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, up from 9.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 64.8 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 81.4 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
