San Diego State at Utah State Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 3/16/2019

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Thomas & Mack Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The San Diego State Aztecs travel to Thomas & Mack Center to play the Utah State Aggies on Saturday in the Mountain West Tournament Championship. The opening line for this matchup has Utah State as 2.5 point favorites.

San Diego State heads into this matchup with a mark of 19-12. They currently have a point differential of 4.6 as they are averaging 72.1 points per contest while giving up 67.5 per game. Utah State has an overall record of 25-6. They are averaging 79.6 points per game and surrendering 67.1, good for a point differential of 12.5.

Valuable San Diego State Aztecs Betting Trends

The San Diego State Aztecs are 17-14-1 against the spread

The San Diego State Aztecs are 9-20-1 against the over/under

Important Utah State Aggies Betting Trends

The Utah State Aggies are 17-15-0 against the spread

The Utah State Aggies are 17-13-0 against the over/under

Key San Diego State Aztecs Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Utah State Aggies Injuries

11/09/18 C Klay Stall ACL is out for season
11/09/18 F Roche Grootfaam ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Devin Watson averages 15.9 points per game in 33.9 minutes per contest. He averages 4.2 assists per contest and 3.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Jalen McDaniels comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Player Spotlight

Neemias Queta averages 11.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 26.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.9 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 63% and his free throw percentage is 54%. Sam Merrill averages 21.1 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Aztecs allow 67.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 69th in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 41st and 77th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.3 rebounds a game which ranks 142nd, and they give up 12.7 assists per contest which puts them in 152nd place in the NCAA. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 180th in the nation. San Diego State averages 72.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 185th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 4.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 206th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 67th in D-1. They average 36.1 rebounds per game and 14.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 137th and 92nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 216th with 12.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Aggies surrender 67.1 points per contest, which ranks them 63rd in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 225th in those defensive statistics. They rank 58th with 11.5 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 31.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Aggies are 120th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game. Utah State is 35th in the country with 79.6 points per game this year. They are 35th in the D-1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 12.5. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 109th in the nation. They are 12th in the country in rebounding with 40.3 boards per game and 8th in assists per contest with 17.4. The Aggies are 204th in turnovers per game with 12.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Aztecs have an offensive rating of 104.5, which is ranked 152nd. They are 187th in college basketball in pace with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 198th. As a unit they are 177th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 219th in D-1. San Diego State is 193rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Utah State is 219th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions. The Aggies have an offensive rating of 112.6, which is ranked 25th. They are 127th in D-1 in pace with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 43rd. As a unit they are 28th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 187th in the country.

Who will win tonight's San Diego State/Utah State college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Utah State -2.5

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