The Long Beach State 49ers (17-13) will look to extend their five-game home winning streak in a tough game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (24-4), who are on their own seven-game road winning streak. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The 49ers edged Cal State Fullerton 75-73 on Wednesday. Nick Faust was the game’s high scorer with 30 points on 9-for-19 shooting. The Rainbow Warriors, meanwhile, are coming off a 67-65 win against UC Davis on Thursday. Sai Tummala played well, accounting for 14 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Justin Bibbins has really been playing well over the last five games for the 49ers. During that stretch, he has averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers. Stefan Jankovic has been on a tear for the Rainbow Warriors. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 21.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball protection could play an integral role in this matchup. Long Beach State commits the 30th-fewest miscues in the nation (TO% of 17.2%), while the pesky defense of Hawaii forces the 14th-most (opponents’ TO% of 21.0%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The 49ers won the first game 78-64. Faust put up a double-double in the victory with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
The 49ers come into this game 17-13 Straight Up (SU) and 16-11-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Long Beach State’s defense has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average points allowed per game dropped to 66.7 during that span, compared to its 72.6 season average.
On the other side, the Rainbow Warriors have 24-4 SU and 12-10 ATS records. The Hawaii defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking 49th in Division I with only 69.4 points allowed per road game. Hawaii’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .401 from the field.
The 49ers’ win over Hawaii in their last game brought the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over their most recent meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Rainbow Warriors have the advantage ATS. In these last five matchups, Long Beach State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice, with Hawaii controlling all three of these areas one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hawaii, ATS Winner – Hawaii
Notes
Long Beach State averages 73.9 points per game, placing the team just 127th in the nation. Hawaii ranks 52nd in points allowed, giving up 66.9 points per game.
Long Beach State scores just 72.5 points per home game (ranked 193rd). Hawaii ranks 49th in points allowed on the road, giving up 69.4 points.
Hawaii won its last game by a two-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Long Beach State is 4-2. Hawaii is 2-1 in close games this season.
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors rank 94th for their offensive rating of 109.5. The Long Beach State 49ers have a defensive rating of 103.6 (ranked 53rd).
Long Beach State has an average field goal percentage of 43.1%. Hawaii is a winning 7-3 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Long Beach State 49ers rank lower for their field goal percentage (225th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (181st), but the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have a better FG% ranking (70th) than eFG% ranking (78th).
Long Beach State ranks 66th in assists, recording 15.1 per game. Hawaii ranks 37th with 15.9 assists per game.
Long Beach State ranks 188th in offensive rebounds, while Hawaii ranks 95th in defensive rebounds.
Though Long Beach State is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 20.4% (ranked 15th), Hawaii is undefeated (6-0) when its TO% is 20.4% or greater.
