Montana State vs UC Riverside Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/18/24

The Montana State Bobcats are visiting the UC-Riverside Highlanders on Wednesday, December 18th at the SRC Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Montana State Bobcats vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction.

UC-Riverside Highlanders Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders have a 7-4 record this season and are coming off a 78-55 win over St. Francis (IL). The Highlanders are 5-3-1 against the spread, and 5-4 in over/under while having a 4-0 home record.

Offensively, UC Riverside is averaging 72.2 points per game, which ranks 258th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.5 points per game (198th). The Highlanders shoot 42% from the field (307th) and 33.4% from beyond the arc (199th). The Highlanders shoot 68% from the free throw line (267th) and are grabbing 37.3 rebounds per game (137th).

Barrington Hargress leads UC Riverside in scoring this season, with an average of 19.2 points, adding a team-high 4 assists while Kaleb Smith adds 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Montana State Bobcats Preview

The Montana State Bobcats have a 5-6 record this season and are coming off a 63-89 loss to USC. The Bobcats are 6-4 against the spread, and 6-4 in over/under while having a 1-5 road record.

Offensively, Montana State averages 74.7 points per game, which ranks 207th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 69.1 points per game (129th). The Bobcats shoot 45.2% from the field (185th) and 36.1% from beyond the arc (92nd). The Bobcats shoot 74.1% from the free throw line (101st) and are grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game (305th).

Brandon Walker leads Montana State in scoring this season, with an average of 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Max Agbonkpolo adds 11.5 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds. Montana State will meet TCU and Idaho after this game.

Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win

• Montana State has lost eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
• UC Riverside has won each of its last five games at Student Recreation Center Arena.
• UC Riverside has won the first half in each of its last three night games against the Big Sky Conference.

Why the Montana State Bobcats will win

• UC Riverside has lost 17 of its last 18 Wednesday night games against non-conference opponents.
• Montana State has won each of its last four night games.
• Montana State has won the first half in each of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Montana State’s last six night games has produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
• Each of UC Riverside’s last eight Wednesday games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 141 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Riverside ranks T48th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.5).
• Montana State ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.0).
• Montana State ranks 357th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (77.9%).

Montana State Bobcats vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction

UC Riverside is 3-1 in their 4 meetings against Montana State and is a perfect 4-0 against the spread. Over is 4-0 in their 4 meetings and in their most recent meeting last season, Montana State won 69-68 at home. In this Montana State Bobcats vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction, UC-Riverside is coming as -1 home favorites. Montana State is better both offensively, scoring 2.5 points more than UC-Riverside, and defensively, allowing 2.4 points less. The Highlanders are struggling with their shooting this season, as they sit on the bottom-60 of the nation in field goal percentage, while the Bobcats are a top-100 team in 3-point percentage. Montana State can keep this one close, so take the Montana State Bobcats and lay the points on the road.