UC Riverside vs Cal State-Northridge 2/24/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The CSU Northridge Matadors will travel to SRC Arena to take on the UC Riverside Highlanders this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The CSU Northridge Matadors lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 7-18 on the season after being defeated by the CSU Fullerton Titans, 81-73, this past Saturday. CSU Northridge struggled defensively against CSU Fullerton and could not fight back after the Titans took a 68-54 lead with 7:48 left in regulation. CSU Northridge shot 51.9% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while allowing CSU Fullerton who had 58.8% from the field & 36.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Matadors was Atin Wright who had 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, CSU Northridge is averaging 62.9 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Matadors are averaging 5.2 three-pointers per game on 30.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, CSU Northridge has been led by Atin Wright (14.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg), Elijah Hardy (12.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg), Onyi Eyisi (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), & Fidelis Okereke (5.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg).

Defensively, CSU Northridge is allowing their opponents to an average of 71.1 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Matadors have a rebound margin of -5.2 and a turnover margin of 1.4.

The UC Riverside Highlanders won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 14-9 on the season after defeating the Cal Poly Mustangs, 78-58, this past Saturday. UC Riverside was outstanding on the defensive end against Cal Poly and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 56-41 lead with 11:37 left in regulation. UC Riverside shot 59.3% from the field & 41.2% from beyond the arc while holding their opponents to an average of 38.6% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Highlanders was Callum McRae who had a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, UC Riverside is averaging 64.4 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Highlanders are averaging 6.8 three-pointers per game on 30.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UC Riverside has been led by Zyon Pullin (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.0 spg), Dominick Pickett (11.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.6 spg), Flynn Cameron (10.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg), & Callum McRae (10.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.5 apg).

Defensively, UC Riverside is holding their opponents to an average of 61.6 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. The Highlanders have a rebound margin of 2.7 and a turnover margin of -1.3.

The Matadors are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games. The High Landers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Thursday games & 6-5 ATS in their last 11 home games.

CSU Northridge has lost 10 of their last 12 games and has really struggled on the offensive end side of the ball this season as the Matadors come into this game ranked just 332^nd in scoring offense, 318^th in FG%, & 309^th in 3P-FG%. UC Riverside has won 3 of their last 5 games and between the fact that the Highlanders are 9-3 ATS home & that I think their defense, which ranks 17^th in scoring defense, will give CSU Northridge a bunch of trouble, I think the Highlanders win this one by 15+ and covers this spread. Good Luck!