Sacramento State vs Denver Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/4/24

The Sacramento State Hornets are visiting the Denver Pioneers on Wednesday, December 4th at the Hamilton Gymnasium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Sacramento State Hornets vs Denver Pioneers Prediction.

Denver Pioneers Preview

The Denver Pioneers have a 3-6 record this season and are coming off a 90-101 loss in Portland. The Pioneers are 3-4 against the spread, and 3-4 in over/under while having a 3-0 home record.

Offensively, Denver is averaging 74 points per game, which ranks 217th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 80.1 points per game (337th). The Pioneers shoot 42.2% from the field (283rd) and 30.8% from beyond the arc (284th). The Pioneers shoot 77.2% from the free throw line (37th) and are grabbing 32.1 rebounds per game (335th).

Nicholas Shogbonyo leads Denver in scoring this season, with an average of 12.9 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Sebastian Akins adds 11.6 points. Denver will play against Portland State following this one.

Sacramento State Hornets Preview

The Sacramento State Hornets have a 2-5 record this season and are coming off a 60-66 loss in Mercyhurst. The Hornets are 3-2-1 against the spread, and 2-4 in over/under, while they are 1-3 on the road. 

Offensively, Sacramento State is averaging 69.4 points per game, which ranks 295th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65.9 points per game (68th). The Hornets shoot 44.7% from the field (202nd) and 36.6% from beyond the arc (78th). The Hornets shoot 64.3% from the free-throw line (327th) and are grabbing 36.9 rebounds per game (184th).

Jacob Holt leads Sacramento State in scoring with an average of 14.7 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds, while Julian Vaughns adds 13.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Sacramento State will take on Omaha after this game.

Why the Denver Pioneers will win

• Denver has won eight of its last nine home games following a road loss.
• Sacramento State has lost eight of its last nine night games against non-conference opponents.
• Sacramento State has lost the first half in six of its last seven road games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Sacramento State Hornets will win

• Denver has lost seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
• The road team has won three of Sacramento State’s last four games.
• Denver has lost the first half in 11 of its last 12 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Denver’s last 17 games at Hamilton Gymnasium has produced a total of 147+ points.
• Each of Sacramento State’s last five night games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 135 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Denver ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (21.8).
• Denver ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (28.0).
• Sacramento State ranks T14th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (20.6).
• Sacramento State ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (27.6%).

Sacramento State Hornets vs Denver Pioneers Prediction

Sacramento State is 3-1 in their previous 5 meetings against Denver, but are 2-2 against the spread. In this Sacramento State Hornets vs Denver Pioneers Prediction, Denver is coming as -2.5 home favorites. Denver is better offensively, scoring 4.6 points more than Sacramento State, while the Hornets are better defensively, allowing 14.2 points less. Sacramento State has better percentages both in field goals and in 3-pointers, as Denver ranks in the bottom 100 of the nation in shooting. The Pioneers are also struggling on the boards, as they rank in the bottom 30 of the nation in rebounding. The value here lies with the road team, so pick the Sacramento State Hornets and lay the +2.5 points on the road.