The CSU Northridge Matadors and CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners meet Tuesday in the college basketball Big West Tournament First Round at the Dollar Loan Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The CSU Northridge Matadors are averaging 63.9 points on 40.3 percent shooting and allowing 69.1 points on 43 percent shooting. Atin Wright is averaging 17 points and 3.2 rebounds, while Dionte Bostick is averaging 12.4 points and 2.7 assists. De’Sean Allen-Eikens is the third double-digit scorer and Dearon Tucker is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The CSU Northridge Matadors are shooting 32.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The CSU Northridge Matadors are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game.
The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners are averaging 61.1 points on 41.8 percent shooting and allowing 64.9 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Kaleb Higgins is averaging 13.1 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Antavion Collum is averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. Marvin McGhee III is dishing 0.7 assists and Cameron Smith is grabbing 5.6 rebounds. The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners are shooting 33.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.8 rebounds per game.
The Matadors are 12-26-3 ATS in their last 41 Tuesday games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. The Roadrunners are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Tuesday games. The over is 4-1 in Matadors last 5 overall. The over is 11-3 in Roadrunners last 14 overall.
Neither of these teams were good this season, and neither team is playing well right now. You can argue Cal State-Bakersfield is the better side, but Cal State-Northridge won the matchup about two weeks ago. Much better options out there, but if forced to pick, I’m going to grab the free bucket. There’s not much separation between these clubs.