Air Force Falcons (4-8) vs San Diego State Aztecs (9-4)
Game Info: Friday, January 22, 2021 at 11:00 pm (Clune Arena)
Betting Odds: Air Force Falcons +14 -- Over/Under: 123.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The San Diego State Aztecs will travel to Clune Arena to take on the Air Force Falcons this Friday night in College Basketball action.
The San Diego State Aztecs lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 9-4 on the season after being defeated by the Utah State Aggies, 64-59, this past Saturday. San Diego State led by a 32-22 margin at halftime, however, the Aztecs struggled on both ends of the court in the 2nd half and could not fight back after Utah State took a 57-53 lead with 3:31 left in regulation. San Diego State shot 41.1% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc while Utah State shot 37.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. San Diego State was outrebounded by Utah State by a 39-32 margin and committed 12 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Aztecs was Lamont Butler who had 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, & 5 steals.
On the season, San Diego State is averaging 69.0 ppg on 43.4% shooting from the field. The Aztecs are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game on 36.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, San Diego State has been led by Matt Mitchell (15.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.2 spg), Jordan Schakel (12.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.1 spg), Nathan Mensah (10.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg), & Terrell Gomez (8.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.4 apg).
Defensively, San Diego State is holding their opponents to an average of 60.7 ppg on 39.3% shooting from the field. The Aztecs have a rebound margin of 0.5 and a turnover margin of 3.0.
The Air Force Falcons dropped to 4-8 on the season after being defeated by the Wyoming Cowboys, 77-58, this past Monday night. Air Force had no answers on the defensive end against Wyoming and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 38-23 margin. Air Force shot 50.0% from the field and 8.3% from beyond the arc while Wyoming shot 49.0% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc. Air Force was outrebounded by Wyoming by a 30-29 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 12-11 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Falcons was Nikc Jackson who had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 blocks.
On the season, Air Force is averaging 58.9 ppg on 45.9% shooting from the field. The Falcons are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 33.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Air Force has been led by A.J. Walker (13.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.9 spg), Chris Joyce (12.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 apg), Keaton Van Soelen (8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg), & Nikc Jackson (7.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg).
Defensively, Air Force is allowing their opponents to average 70.7 ppg on 47.6% shooting from the field. The Falcons have a rebound margin of -8.8 and a turnover margin of -2.2.
The Aztecs are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 road games and 22-8 ATS in their last 20 Friday games. The Falcons are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss, however, are just 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
San Diego State struggled against a very good Utah State team, but don’t sleep on the Aztecs as this is still a solid basketball team that comes into this game ranked 13th in scoring defense & 33rd in defensive FG%. Air Force was able to split their recent series against Wyoming, however, this is not a good team as the Falcons have lost 4 of their last 5 games and comes into this game ranked just 335th in scoring offense. Air Force State lost to another good defensive team in Utah State at home by an average of 27.0 ppg in their 2-game series earlier this season and as I think the Falcons are going to have a hard time generating offense in this one, I’m taking San Diego State to cover this large road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick San Diego State Aztecs -14
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05