The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (15-12) will attempt to keep their six-game winning streak alive when they meet the UC Riverside Highlanders (14-16) at Thunderdome. The game begins at 10:00 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 3.
The Gauchos had no trouble getting past Cal State Fullerton 80-62 in their last matchup. Michael Bryson was the team’s high scorer with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Highlanders, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 66-55 loss against Long Beach State in their last outing. Secean Johnson led the game in scoring with 19 points.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Gauchos won the first game 65-55. In the loss, Johnson had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Gauchos enter the game with records of 15-12 Straight Up (SU) and 15-10 Against The Spread (ATS). Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Gauchos, who allow a field goal percentage of only .403.
On the other side, the Highlanders head into the game with records of 9-12-1 ATS and 14-16 SU. UC Riverside performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. UC Riverside’s three-point defense is one of the top in the country, with opponents making only 5.0 shots from the three-point line per game.
The Gauchos’ win over UC Riverside in their last game brought their SU record to 7-3 over UC Riverside in their most recent games. The Highlanders lead the matchup ATS with a record of 7-2-1. Neither team held the edge in field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers in a single game during this span.
Predictions: SU Winner – UC-SB, ATS Winner – UC-SB
Notes
UC Santa Barbara scores an average of just 70.5 points per game (ranked 187th). UC Riverside ranks 87th in points allowed, giving up 68.7 points per game.
UC Santa Barbara scores just 67.9 points per home game (ranked 238th). UC Riverside ranks 65th in points allowed on the road, giving up 70.8 points.
The UC Riverside Highlanders have a defensive rating of 100.6 (ranked 91st), while the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos have an offensive rating of 103.0 (ranked 234th).
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos average 68.4 possessions per game and 1.030 points per possession, while the UC Riverside Highlanders earn fewer possessions (67.8) but more points per possession (1.034).
UC Santa Barbara has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.0%. UC Riverside is a poor 3-6 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
UC Santa Barbara attempts an average of 20.0 three pointers per game and UC Riverside attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are even at 8-8 while the UC Riverside Highlanders have an 8-10 record.
UC Riverside ranks 243rd in offensive rebounds, while UC Santa Barbara ranks at 71st in defensive rebounds.
UC Santa Barbara averages a forced turnover rate of 18.5% this season. UC Riverside has an 8-12 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
