UC Riverside (15-17) vs Cal State-Bakersfield (13-18)
Game Info: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 9:00 pm (Dollar Loan Center)
Betting Odds: UC Riverside -2 -- Over/Under: 133.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UC Riverside Highlanders and the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners will meet in the first round of the Big West Championship this Wednesday in Henderson from the Dollar Loan Center on ESPN+. Riverside enters as narrow favorites, with the total hovering 132.5. Stay tuned for our Bakersfield vs Riverside Prediction.
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Preview
CSU Bakersfield closed at 13-18 after losing to Hawaii in Honolulu, 74-57. The Roadrunners were outplayed in both halves by the Warriors, and they’ll attempt to bounce back here in Henderson. CSUB is scoring 68.4 points per game, on 43% shooting, while allowing 68.7 ppg, and they’re 4-6 over their last ten games.
Bakersfield’s Impact Players
- Senior guard Kaleb Higgins hasn’t shot very well during league play, but he leads Bakersfield in scoring (17.1) and assists (3.7).
- Atlanta native Marvin McGhee posted a 22-point double-double in the overtime win against Long Beach, and he’s second on the team at 8.4 ppg.
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UC Riverside Highlanders Preview
UC Riverside finished at 15-17 after defeating UCSB in Santa Barbara, 81-64. The Highlanders used a fast start to take down the Gauchos, and they’ll seek a third straight win here against the Roadrunners. UCR is scoring 70.4 points per game, on 39.7% shooting, while allowing 71.4 ppg, and they’re 4-6 over their last ten games.
Riverside’s Impact Players
- Sophomore guard Isaiah Moses leads Riverside in scoring (12.8) and assists (4.7).
- Freshman guard Barrington Hargreaves came thru with 26 points in the win over UCSB, and he’s second on the team at 11.2 ppg and 3.8 apg.
- Calabasas native Kyle Owens has double-doubled in two of the last four games, and he’s leading the team in rebounding (4.8), and 8.8 ppg.
Bakersfield vs Riverside Trends
- CSUB is 15-14 against the spread, with a 15-14 over/under record
- UCR is 15-15 against the spread, with a 16-13-1 O/U record
CSU Bakersfield vs UC Riverside Prediction
Riverside played well during the last month of the regular season, and I like leaning on that momentum here against Bakersfield. The Highlanders won seven of their final nine games, which included a victory over the Roadrunners, and they thrived on the offensive end during that stretch. The attainable Over may be in play, but let’s sway Riverside’s way for this Big West matchup.
Corey’s Pick Riverside TO WIN
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
