UC San Diego vs Idaho Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/15/24

The UC San Diego Tritons are visiting the Idaho Vandals on Sunday, December 15th at the ICCU Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UC-San Diego Tritons vs Idaho Vandals Prediction.

Idaho Vandals Preview

The Idaho Vandals have a 4-6 record this season and are coming off a 62-78 loss to Oregon State. The Vandals are 3-5 against the spread, and 7-1 in over/under, while they have a 3-1 home record. 

Offensively, Idaho is averaging 76 points per game, which ranks 183rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 75.5 points per game (280th). The Vandals shoot 46.2% from the field (146th) and 36.6% from beyond the arc (83rd). The Vandals shoot 65.1% from the free-throw line (325th) and are grabbing 35.1 rebounds per game (254th).

Kristian Gonzalez leads Idaho in scoring, with an average of 11.4 points and 2.9 rebounds, while Julius Mims adds 10.2 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds. Idaho will take on UC Davis, Pacific, and Montana State after this one.

UC-San Diego Tritons Preview

The UC-San Diego Tritons have an 8-2 record this season and are coming off an 81-60 win over Cal State Bakersfield. The Tritons are 7-2 against the spread, and 4-5 in over/under, while having a 1-1 road record.

Offensively, UC San Diego is averaging 78.6 points per game, which ranks 121st in the nation. Defensively, they allow 62.5 points per game (21st). The Tritons shoot 45.3% from the field (180th) and 36.3% from beyond the arc (96th). The Tritons shoot 70.6% from the free-throw line (197th) and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game (304th).

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones leads UC-San Diego in scoring this season, with 16.6 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds, while Tyler McGhie adds 16 points and 3.8 rebounds. UC San Diego will play against Utah State, San Diego, and CSU Fullerton following this game.

Why the Idaho Vandals will win

• Idaho has won three of its last four games at ICCU Arena.
• Idaho has won the first half in each of its last five games against the Big West Conference.

Why the UC San Diego Tritons will win

• UC San Diego has won each of its last six games.
• Idaho has lost each of its last six Sunday games.
• UC San Diego has won the first half in each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Idaho’s last 10 games against the Big West Conference has produced a total of 143+ points.
• Eight of UC San Diego’s last 10 day games have produced a total of 142+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC San Diego ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.0).
• UC San Diego ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (8.6).

UC-San Diego Tritons vs Idaho Vandals Prediction

In their only previous meeting last season, Idaho won 73-70 in overtime on the road. In this UC-San Diego Tritons vs Idaho Vandals Prediction, UC-San Diego is coming as a -8.5 road favorites. UC-San Diego is better both offensively, scoring 2.6 points more than Idaho, and defensively, allowing 13 points less. The Tritons have been winning by an average of 14.1 points per game this season while boasting the 21st defense in the nation. Both teams shoot very similarly both from the field and from beyond the arc, so the value here lies with the road team. Take the UC San Diego Tritons to cover the spread in this one.