Cal State-Northridge Matadors (8-10) vs UC Riverside Highlanders (11-7)
Game Info: Friday, March 5, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Matadome)
Betting Odds: Cal State-Northridge Matadors +9 -- Over/Under: 141.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The CSU Northridge Matadors will be hosting the UC Riverside Highlanders this Friday. It will be the first of two in as many nights for the teams, and their first matchup of the year. Both teams are ranked near the middle of the Big West conference.
UC Riverside came away with a big win last time out, winning 68-52 at home against conference leader UC Santa Barbara. They shot 42.9% from the field, and 41.2% from beyond the arc. They also had assists on half of their field goals. Zyon Pullin lead the team with 21 points and 5 assists. The Highlanders held the Gauchos to 36.5% shooting and 25% from three, while having a +4 turnover differential. They also outrebounded UC Santa Barbara 37-32. UC Riverside is averaging 71.3 points per game, while allowing 63.2 to their opponents. Arinze Chidom leads the team with 13.5 points per game.
The Matadors came away with a 90-87 win on the road against CSU Bakersfield last time out. Northridge shot 62.2% from the field and 57.1% from three. They had assists on 16 of their 28 field goals. The offense got to the line 36 times, hitting 26 of those attempts. TJ Starks scored 25 points, while Alex Merkviladze added 24 to lead the scoring for the Matadors. Northridge allowed Bakersfield to shoot 55.2% from the field and 43.5% from three. The Matadors were also outrebounded 31-19 in the game. Northridge is averaging 73.2 points per game, while surrendering 78.2 to the opposition. TJ Starks leads the team with 21.6 points per game.
CSU Northridge is 10-8 ATS this season, 4-4 ATS after a win, and 5-3 ATS at home. UC Riverside is 10-7-1 ATS this season, 6-4 ATS after a win, and 5-2-1 ATS on the road.
Northridge has been able to rely on TJ Starks to produce on a nightly basis. He has led the team in scoring in each of their last 10 games, averaging 24 points per. UC Riverside has only allowed 63.2 points per game this year, but have given up 72.2 points per in their last 5. After their big win at home against USCB, you can expect a little bit of a let down in this game. Northridge will be able to keep this one close. Give me the Matadors to cover as the home dogs.