The Highlanders and Roadrunners are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Roadrunners will host the game at Icardo Center in Bakersfield, CA. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 135 points, and the Roadrunners are favored to win at home against the Highlanders.

UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS VS BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Bakersfield Roadrunners -1

This game will be played at Icardo Center at 10:00 ET on Thursday, January 18th.

WHY BET THE BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-71 in favor of the Roadrunners.
  • Not only will Bakersfield pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.
  • The over/under is currently sitting at 135 points, and we like the over with a projected 145 points.

No Pressure for UC Riverside as Away Dogs

UC Riverside will look to snap a nine-game losing streak on the road when they take on Bakersfield as one-point underdogs. So far this season, the Highlanders have gone 0-9 on the road compared to 6-2 at home. They come into this game with an overall record of 7-11.

UC Riverside’s average scoring margin on the road this season is -14.0 compared to +3.8 at home. They have been the underdog in 11 of their 18 games, going 1-10 in those contests. In their last game, they lost to Hawaii by a score of 63-56.

UC Riverside has an overall ATS record of 8-9 this season. On the road, they are 3-6 vs. the spread. As the underdog, the Highlanders are 5-6 vs. the spread this year. In their last 10 games as the underdog, they have gone 5-5 ATS.

So far this season, the over/under record for UC Riverside games is 10-7. Today’s over/under line of 135 is lower than the average over/under line in their games this year (137.3). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 134 points and their OU record during this stretch is 1-2. For the season, 10 of their games have finished with more points than today’s OU line of 135.

Against Hawaii, the UC Riverside had a tough time putting up points compared to their season average of 68.9 points per game. They scored 56 points and posted a field goal percentage of 40% in the game. Offensively, the Highlanders hold a season-long field goal percentage of 39%, placing them 393rd in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 347th in terms of percentage and 144th in three-pointers made.

On the defensive side, UC Riverside is currently hovering around the NCAA’s average for points allowed, conceding an average of 71.7 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, UC Riverside’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 44.3% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 35.9% this season.

Do the Roadrunners Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?

After losing their last three games, Bakersfield will look to get back on track against UC Riverside. The Roadrunners have a record of 5-11 this season and are 0-3 in Big West play.

At home this season, Bakersfield has gone 2-2, and they are 5-5 over their last 10 games at home. So far, the Roadrunners have been favored in two games, going 2-0 as the favorite.

As the favorite this season, Bakersfield has gone 1-1 vs. the spread. At home, the Roadrunners are 1-3 ATS this year and 3-5 ATS in their last 10 home games. Over their last three home games, Bakersfield is 1-2 vs. the spread.

So far this season, the over/under record in Bakersfield games is 9-3. Today’s over/under line of 135 is lower than the average over/under line in their games this year (136.9). Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total in those games is 141 points.

In their recent game, the Roadrunners’ offense concluded with 67 points, consistent with their ongoing season average of 69.2 points per contest. Offensively, the Roadrunners hold a season-long field goal percentage of 43%, placing them 315th in the national rankings. When it comes to three-pointers, they are ranked 367th in terms of percentage and 359th in three-pointers made.

Bakersfield’s defense is currently in line with the NCAA average for points allowed, allowing an average of 71.3 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Bakersfield’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 40.8% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 32.5% this season.