The UC Irvine Anteaters (16-16, 11-5 BigWst) square off against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (17-12, 8-8 BigWst) in the Big West Conference Tourney at Honda Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
UC Irvine is a 4.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 129.5 points.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Prediction
The last time the Rainbow Warriors played, they defeated the Cal State Fullerton Titans, 68-60. The Rainbow Warriors held the Titans to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.6 (below their season average of 29.1) and had a turnover percentage of 14.8 (better than their season average of 17.5). With 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Gibson Johnson led Hawaii in scoring.
The Anteaters lost to the UC Davis Aggies in their last game, 90-84. UC Davis’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over UC Irvine. The Aggies had a rate of 9.3 (better than their season average of 17.2), while the Anteaters posted a mark of 16.4. UC Irvine’s Evan Leonard had a good performance, leading both teams in scoring with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NCAA’s top rebounding teams square off. The Anteaters rank 40th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.8 percent), while Hawaii ranks 36th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.4 percent). Also, the Rainbow Warriors’ 259th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 102.3) will face a tough challenge against the Anteaters’ 38th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 98.2).
Hawaii heads into the contest with records of 17-12 straight up (SU) and 12-14 against the spread (ATS). Rainbow Warriors games have a slight tendency to go under the total (52.0 percent).
Meanwhile, UC Irvine owns records of 16-16 SU and 14-12-3 ATS. Of the Anteaters’ 29 games with betting action, 19 have finished under the total.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Anteaters won the most recent matchup 66-57, covering as 2-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 123 points, which was 8.5 points below the projected point total of 131.5 points. The Anteaters had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.5 vs. 20.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.352 vs. 0.308). Leonard was the game’s leading scorer with 19 points.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. UC Irvine Anteaters Free Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
UC Irvine ranks fourth in rebounds per game (41.4) while Hawaii ranks 238th (33.3).
The Anteaters rank 58th in blocks per game (4.1) while the Rainbow Warriors rank 230th (1.9).
UC Irvine ranks 41st in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Hawaii ranks 143rd (6.3).
The Rainbow Warriors rank 206th in three pointers attempted per game (20.4) while the Anteaters rank 253rd (19.1).
Hawaii allows the 10th-fewest assists per game (10.1) while UC Irvine ranks 35th (11.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Hawaii is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
UC Irvine is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Rainbow Warriors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 1.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Anteaters have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 63.2 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
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