It will be a battle between Big West opponents when the Long Beach State 49ers (12-12, 6-2 Big West) welcome the UC Irvine Anteaters (9-14, 4-3 Big West) to The Walter Pyramid. The game begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
Long Beach State opened as a 2-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 147 points.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Long Beach State 49ers Betting Prediction
The Anteaters come in on a high note after blowing out the UC Riverside Highlanders in their last game, 79-40. UC Irvine’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Anteaters had 12 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Highlanders had seven and 30, respectively. UC Irvine received a boost from Tommy Rutherford, who was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
In the 49ers’ last game, they beat the CSUN Matadors, 70-66. Long Beach State’s free throw rate was their largest strength over CSUN. The 49ers had a rate of 0.320 (above their season average of 0.284), while the Matadors posted a mark of 0.111 (below their season average of 0.214). Gabe Levin was Long Beach State’s high scorer with 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
The aggressive Long Beach State offense could be living from the charity stripe in this meeting. The 49ers rank 44th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.285, while UC Irvine ranks 311th in FTA rate allowed (0.290). Also, the Anteaters, who rank 56th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.8 percent), will try to take advantage of the 49ers, who rank 282nd in defensive rebounding percentage (68.5 percent).
UC Irvine comes into the contest with records of 9-14 straight up (SU) and 7-10-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Anteaters are involved, as 12 of their 20 games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Long Beach State is 12-12 SU and 11-11 ATS. Unlike UC Irvine, games involving the 49ers have typically gone over the O/U total (59.1 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, John Edgar Jr. put up 15 points and 10 rebounds and the Anteaters defeated the 49ers 86-73, covering as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 159 points, which was 12 points above the projected point total of 147 points. UC Irvine’s rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Anteaters had more offensive rebounds (15 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 23) and total rebounds (44 vs. 32).
UC Irvine Anteaters at Long Beach State 49ers Free Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, UC Irvine is 5-9 ATS with 8 unders and 6 overs.
Long Beach State is 3-3 ATS at home with 4 overs and 2 unders.
UC Irvine ranks 77th in assists allowed per game (12.3) while Long Beach State ranks 235th (16.0).
The Anteaters rank 49th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while the 49ers rank 196th (8.2).
UC Irvine ranks seventh in rebounds per game (41.3) while Long Beach State ranks 150th (35.7).
The Anteaters rank 37th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while the 49ers rank 116th (3.6).
UC Irvine ranks 232nd in three pointers attempted per game (19.0) while Long Beach State ranks 271st (17.1).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, UC Irvine is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Long Beach State is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Anteaters’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 0.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the 49ers have scored an average of 77.6 points per game (2.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (7.3 below their season average).
