Idaho vs UC Davis Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/18/24

The Idaho Vandals are visiting the UC-Davis Aggies on Wednesday, December 18th at the University Credit Union Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Idaho Vandals vs UC-Davis Aggies Prediction.

UC-Davis Aggies Preview

The UC-Davis Aggies have a 5-4 record this season and are coming off a 69-62 win over Sacramento State. The Aggies are 5-3 against the spread, and 3-5 in over/under, while having a 3-1 home record.

Offensively, UC-Davis is averaging 70.1 points per game, which ranks 302nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 72.5 points per game (219th). The Aggies shoot 42.4% from the field (293rd) and 33.2% from beyond the arc (214th). The Aggies shoot 75.5% from the free-throw line (66th) and are grabbing 32.7 rebounds per game (322nd).

TY Johnson leads UC-Davis in scoring this season, with 20.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Pablo Tamba adds 12.7 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds. UC Davis will play against Pepperdine and CSU Bakersfield following this game.

Idaho Vandals Preview

The Idaho Vandals have a 4-7 record this season and are coming off a 56-80 loss to UC San Diego. The Vandals are 3-6 against the spread, and 7-2 in over/under, while they have a 1-4 road record. 

Offensively, Idaho is averaging 74.2 points per game, which ranks 220th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 75.9 points per game (291st). The Vandals shoot 45.6% from the field (161st) and 37.2% from beyond the arc (69th). The Vandals shoot 64.2% from the free-throw line (339th) and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game (268th).

Tyler Mrus leads Idaho in scoring, with an average of 12.8 points, while Kristian Gonzalez adds 11.1 points. Idaho will face Pacific after this one.

Why the UC Davis Aggies will win

• Idaho has lost nine of its last 10 night games against the Big West Conference.
• UC Davis has won 15 of its last 16 Wednesday night games at University Credit Union Center.
• Idaho has lost the first half in five of its last six road games against the Big West Conference.

Why the Idaho Vandals will win

• UC Davis has lost four of its last five home games against non-conference opponents.
• Idaho has won the first half in five of its last six games against the Big West Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UC Davis’ last six night games against the Big Sky Conference at University Credit Union Center have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.
• Each of Idaho’s last five night games has produced a total of 154+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Davis ranks 355th among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.71).
• UC Davis ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (16.5).

Idaho Vandals vs UC-Davis Aggies Prediction

In their previous meeting earlier this season, UC Davis won 79-75 on the road. Idaho is 6-2 in their last 8 meetings against UC Davis, but UC Davis is 5-2 against the spread in their last 7 meetings. In this Idaho Vandals vs UC-Davis Aggies Prediction, UC-Davis is coming as a -6.5 home favorites. Idaho is better offensively, scoring 3.1 points more than UC-Davis, while UC-Davis is better defensively, allowing 3.4 points less. The Aggies are struggling with their shooting this season, as they are in the bottom 70 of the nation in field goal percentage and in the bottom half in 3-point percentage, while the Vandals are a top-70 team in 3-point percentage. UC Davis is also extremely weak on the glass, as they rank in the bottom 40 in rebounding, so I expect Idaho to do some damage and get away with the win. Get the Idaho Vandals and lay the points on the road.