Conference USA foes will collide when the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (14-5) challenge the Texas San Antonio Roadrunners (4-16) at Thomas Assembly Center. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 28.
The Bulldogs enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Southern Miss 70-59 in their last matchup. Erik McCree played a pivotal role, recording his fifth double-double of the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds. The Roadrunners, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 86-71 loss against Florida Atlantic in their last game. Christian Wilson had a game-high 28 points.
The ineffective offense of the Roadrunners (304th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 97.4) will attempt to infiltrate the elite defense of the Bulldogs (29th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 94.7). The matchup on that end of the floor seems to lean toward Louisiana Tech.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Louisiana Tech, a big 20-point favorite, takes on Texas San Antonio. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of 161 points. The Bulldogs have gone 14-5 Straight Up (SU) and 5-6 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have only managed a record of 2-5 ATS. The Bulldogs prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 44th in the nation with 115 total three-pointers allowed (6.0 per game). Opponents have consistently had the ball stolen by the Bulldogs, who rank 46th in the country in steals per game with 7.8. Louisiana Tech will look to take advantage of the Roadrunners and their propensity to foul. Texas San Antonio ranks 316th in the nation in fouls, averaging 22.1 per game.
Over on the other bench, the Roadrunners have 4-16 SU and 5-9 ATS records.
These conference foes meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Louisiana Tech won the last game in the matchup, bumping its SU record to 6-2 over Texas San Antonio in their most recent meetings. The teams are even ATS, with a 3-3 record. Louisiana Tech held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once, while Texas San Antonio was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – LaTech, ATS Winner – LaTech, O/U – Over
Notes
Louisiana Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Louisiana Tech is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Louisiana Tech is an even 3-3 against other teams in its conference, while Texas San Antonio is a poor 2-5 against its rivals.
Louisiana Tech scores 82.5 points per home game (ranked 69th). Texas San Antonio ranks a poor 349th in points allowed on the road, allowing 90.0 points.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have a defensive rating of 94.7 (ranked 29th), while the Texas San Antonio Roadrunners have an offensive rating of 97.4 (ranked 304th).
Texas San Antonio has an average field goal percentage of 41.9%. Louisiana Tech is a winning 6-3 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs attempt 22.0 three point field goals per game and the Texas San Antonio Roadrunners attempt 20.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 three pointers, Louisiana Tech has a fantastic record of 12-4, while Texas San Antonio has a losing record of 3-10.
Louisiana Tech, the 52nd-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 39.6 rebounds per game. Texas San Antonio does worse, ranked 261st with 34.9.
The Texas San Antonio Roadrunners make an average of 6.1 steals per game. When the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs give up 6 or more steals, they are a superb 9-3.
