UC Irvine at St. Mary's College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

McKeon Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The UC Irvine Anteaters travel to McKeon Pavilion to play the St. Mary's Gaels on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this game has St. Mary's as 18 point favorites.

UC Irvine heads into this matchup with a mark of 4-8. They currently have a point differential of -0.7 as they are averaging 72.7 points per contest while giving up 73.3 per game. St. Mary's has an overall mark of 8-2. They are averaging 82.2 points per contest and giving up 68.8, which is a point differential of 13.4.

Valuable UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Trends

The UC Irvine Anteaters are 2-7 against the spread this season

The UC Irvine Anteaters are 4-5 against the over/under this year

Important St. Mary's Gaels Betting Trends

The St. Mary's Gaels are 2-5 against the spread this season

The St. Mary's Gaels are 3-4 against the over/under this year

Key UC Irvine Anteaters Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key St. Mary's Gaels Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Tommy Rutherford averages 9.8 points per game in 22.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.8 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 70% for the year while his free throw percentage is 55%. Evan Leonard averages 10.6 points per game while playing 25.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 65% while his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Calvin Hermanson averages 14 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 61% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Jock Landale averages 21.3 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 65% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Anteaters allow 73.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 204th in the nation. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 46th and 281st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.1 rebounds a game which ranks 177th, and they give up 14.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 231st place in the country. They force 10.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in college basketball. UC Irvine averages 72.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 228th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is -0.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 230th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 110th in D-1. They average 42.8 rebounds per game and 14.0 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 188th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 57th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Gaels surrender 68.8 points per contest, which ranks them 116th in the country. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 312th and 122nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 131st with 12.4 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 28.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gaels are 18th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 10.9 per game this season. St. Mary's is 54th in Division 1 with 82.2 points per game this year. They are 8th in the country in shooting at 52%, while their average scoring margin is 13.4. They shoot 41% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the nation. They are 324th in college basketball in rebounding with 32.3 boards per game and 37th in assists per contest with 17.1. The Gaels are 351st in turnovers per game with 8.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Anteaters are 222nd in the country in defensive rating with 102.6, and their offensive rating of 101.6 is ranked 234th. They are 169th in college basketball in pace with 71.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 241st. As a unit they are 275th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 286th in D-1. UC Irvine is 77th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 47%, which is 69th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

St. Mary's is 350th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 263rd in Division 1. The Gaels are 255th in the nation in defensive rating with 104.4, and their offensive rating of 124.7 is ranked 4th. They are 345th in D-1 in pace with 65.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 59% is 15th. As a unit they are 9th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 62% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 248th in the country.

Who will win tonight's UC Irvine/St. Mary's college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take St. Mary's -18

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink