St. Mary’s vs UC Riverside 11/29/2021 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UC Riverside Highlanders will travel to University Credit Union Pavilion to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels this Monday night in College Basketball action.

The UC Riverside Highlanders won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 5-2 on the season after defeating the Florida A&M Rattlers, 60-49, this past Friday. UC Riverside was outstanding defensively against Florida A&M and pulled away in the 2^nd half after a 20-4 run to start the half gave the Highlanders a 47-30 lead with 9:58 left in regulation. UC Riverside shot 39.6% from the field & 35.7% from beyond the arc while holding Florida A&M to just 32.4% shooting from the field & 16.7% from beyond the arc. UC Riverside lost the turnover battle by a 19-4 margin, however, outrebounded the Rattlers by a 52-26 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Highlanders was Callum McRae who had a double-double with 10 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, UC Riverside is averaging 65.7 ppg on 41.4% shooting from the field. The Highlanders are averaging 8.3 three-pointers per game on 32.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UC Riverside has been led by Zyon Pullin (11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.0 spg), J.P. Moorman II (11.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), Flynn Cameron (10.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Callum McRae (8.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.3 apg).

Defensively, UC Riverside is holding their opponents to an average of 57.9 ppg on 36.5% shooting from the field. The Highlanders have a rebound margin of 9.7 and a turnover margin of -4.9.

The Saint Mary’s Gaels had their 6-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 6-1 on the season after being defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers, 61-55, this past Wednesday in the Championship Game of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Saint Mary’s held a 31-25 lead at halftime and lead for most of the 2^nd half, however, the defense struggled down the stretch and the Badgers were able to pull away after taking a 57-53 lead with just :53 seconds left in regulation. Saint Mary’s shot 42.0% from the field & 26.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Wisconsin to shoot 37.5% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Gaels was Logan Johnson who had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.

On the season, Saint Mary’s is averaging 68.0 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field. The Gaels are averaging 7.7 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Saint Mary’s has been led by Dan Fotu (14.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Tommy Kuhse (10.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.3 spg), Logan Johnson (10.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.1 spg), & Alex Ducas (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

Defensively, Saint Mary’s is holding their opponents to an average of 58.7 ppg on 41.2% shooting from the field. The Gaels have a rebound margin of 4.0 and a turnover margin 0.4.

The Highlanders are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall & 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games. The Gaels are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record & 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.

Saint Mary’s has looked impressive to start the season, however, I’m not giving the Gales too much credit in wins against Oregon & Notre Dame and I don’t think they should sleep on a UC Riverside team that was competitive at San Diego State and pulled a solid upset at Arizona State. Both teams are led by their defenses as the UC Riverside currently ranks t-26^th in scoring defense & 17^th in defensive FG% while Saint Mary’s ranks 33^rd in scoring defense and as I think this is going to be a competitive, low-scoring game, I think the play here is take the Highlanders and the points. Good Luck!