UC Riverside Highlanders (20-11) vs UC Davis Aggies (17-13)
Game Info: Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 11:30 pm (Dollar Loan Center)
Betting Odds: UC Riverside Highlanders -2 -- Over/Under: 145 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UC Davis Aggies and the UC Riverside Highlanders will meet in will meet in Henderson to face off in the quarterfinals of the Big West Championship at the Dollar Loan Center on the ESPN+.
UC Davis moved to 18-13 after beating Long Beach State at home. The Aggies let the Beach march back and force overtime, but UCD would manage to sneak away with the one-point victory, 93-92. Davis is scoring 73.0 points per game, while allowing 69.3 ppg, and shooting 44% from the field.
UC Davis closed the season by winning four of their final six games, and they’ll look to avenge a pair of narrow losses to Riverside here. Junior guard Eli Pepper has been elite for Davis once again this season, and after scoring 28 points or more in eight of the last ten games, he’s among the nation’s leading scorers at 22.5 ppg, while grabbing a team-lead 6.0 rpg. Sophomore guard Ty Johnson scored 22 points in the final against LBSU, and he finished second on the team at 14.8 ppg. Senior forward Christian Anigwe matched his energy with 21 points against the Beach and he’s up to 12.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg.
UC Riverside improved to 21-11 after beating Cal Poly in San Luis. The Highlanders avoided disaster after the Mustangs forced overtime by leaving with a one-point win. Riverside is scoring 73.0 points per game, while allowing 69.3 ppg, and shooting 44% from the field.
UC Riverside won six of their last eight games, and they have a good shot to win the Big West tournament if they survive here. The Highlanders play through Zyon Pullin again this season. The senior guard posted a 28-point double-double in the win over Cal Poly, and he leads the team in scoring (18.1) and assists (4.3), while grabbing 4.4 rpg. Senior guard Flynn Cameron scored 26 points in the home finale with over Irvine, and he’s up to 13.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Freshman Lachlan Olbrich double-doubled against Hawaii, and he’s now averaging 11.7 ppg and a team-lead 5.9 rpg.
Davis is 15-15 against the spread this season, with a 16-12-1 over/under record. Riverside is 14-15 ATS this year, with a 19-12 o/u record.
I wish the margin here was kinder to UC Davis, but I like the steam they have coming into this game. Eli Pepper has simply been on one of the best scoring runs we’ve seen in recent memory, and I like rolling with the big player on the big stage. Riverside will not be easy to down, so spot Davis the points here in hopes of a big game from Pepper.
Corey’s Pick UD Davis +2
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
