UC Riverside Highlanders vs
BYU CougarsPredictions & Preview

BYU Cougars Favored to Cover Spread Against UC Riverside in Friday Matchup

The UC Riverside Highlanders will face off against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center on Friday, November 8. This will be the first meeting between the two schools. UC Riverside is coming off a tough loss to the Oregon Ducks but is eager for a win. BYU, on the other hand, is 1-0 and coming off a big victory over Central Arkansas. The Cougars are the betting favorite, with the current line at BYU -21. Let's see how this matchup unfolds.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Highlanders +1200 | Cougars -2800
• Spread: Highlanders +21 (-110) | Cougars -21 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 153 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that BYU will win straight-up is 97%.

UC Riverside vs BYU Stats

UC Riverside Highlanders

The UC Riverside Highlanders are coming off a 16-18 season, with a 10-10 conference record. They boast a veteran roster led by guards Barrington Hargress and Isaiah Moses, who have great chemistry on the court. The team also features size in the paint with players like Kaleb Smith and Joel Armotrading. In their recent game against Oregon, they showed strong offensive efficiency but struggled defensively, ultimately falling short in a close match. The team ranks 190th in offense, 287th in defense, and has a power ranking of 43. They have areas of improvement in shooting percentages and rebounding, but their experienced players show promise for the rest of the season.

BYU Cougars Analysis

The BYU Cougars have undergone significant changes for the upcoming season, with a new head coach in Kevin Young and only two returning starters from last year's successful team. Despite the roster turnover, the team still boasts veteran leadership in the form of guards Dallin Hall and Trevin Knell. The Cougars had a strong season opener, with impressive performances from freshmen Kanon Catchings and Egor Demin, as well as solid contributions from returners like Fousseyni Traore. The team showed solid offensive and defensive capabilities in the first game, shooting well from the field and displaying strong defensive stats with steals, blocks, and forced turnovers. The Cougars currently have a power ranking of 20 and are performing well both offensively and defensively, ranking in the top 30 for defense and showcasing strong rebounding and assist numbers. Overall, the team looks promising for the season ahead.

BYU Favored to Cover Spread Against UCR in Upcoming Game

The opening line for the upcoming UCR vs. BYU game is set at 20 points, but has since moved to 21.5 points. While this may seem like a significant spread, the BYU Cougars have a history of performing well against the spread, particularly at home. In the 2023 season, BYU ranked 12th in the nation with an 11.5 scoring margin, which increased to 20.2 at home games. Prior to beginning BIG12 play, BYU led the nation with a 29.1 scoring margin. On the other hand, the UCR Highlanders struggled on the road last season with a 4-12 record. Their matchup against BYU's talented roster, including standouts Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings, will be challenging. UCR's guard-focused playing style may also be disadvantaged by BYU's height advantage, a strength demonstrated by their impressive rebounding numbers in the 2023 season. Ultimately, the prediction is that BYU will cover the spread in this game. Cougars -21.5.

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