Montana State Bobcats vs UC Riverside Highlanders Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Montana State vs UC Riverside NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Riverside.

Montana State vs UC Riverside Prediction

Betting on today's Bobcats and Highlanders game? Catch the action at SRC Arena in Riverside, CA, as the Highlanders hosts this showdown at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 145.5 points, and UC Riverside is favored by -1.5 vs. Montana State.

Montana State vs. UC Riverside Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Montana State Bobcats at UC Riverside Highlanders
Where: Riverside at SRC Arena
Date: Wednesday, December 18th
Betting Odds UCRVS -1.5, MONST -104 | UCRVS -118 O/U 145.5

Bobcats Preview: Taking a Look at the Bobcats Chances in Riverside

Montana State Bobcats Recent Game/Games

Montana State fell to 4-6 on the season after an 89-63 loss to USC on Sunday. The Bobcats were +9 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 152, surpassing the over/under line of 142.5.

Montana State struggled early, trailing 47-21 at halftime. They managed to score 42 points in the second half but allowed USC to score the same amount, preventing any comeback attempt.

Bobcats Offense Breakdown

Montana State struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 32.8% from the field and 22.7% from three-point range, finishing with 63 points. Their effective field goal percentage was 36.1%, and they managed only 7 offensive rebounds.

Desmond Claude led the Bobcats with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Saint Thomas added 17 points, hitting 7-of-11 shots and going 1-for-1 from beyond the arc. Montana State connected on 18-of-25 free throws, shooting 72% from the line.

Bobcats Team Defense

Montana State's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 89 points on 50% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 57% of their two-point attempts, going 26/45 inside the arc.

From three-point range, Montana State's defense gave up 6 threes on 18 attempts, a 33% shooting rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 19 free throws for 79%. Additionally, Montana State allowed 12 offensive rebounds.

Highlanders Preview: Can UC Riverside Secure a Home Victory?

UC Riverside Highlanders Recent Game/Games

UC Riverside improved to 5-4 on the season with a 75-68 home win over Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. The Highlanders were -10 favorites going into the game but didn't cover the spread.

After trailing 39-37 at halftime, UC Riverside's defense stepped up in the 2nd half, holding Fullerton to 29 points while scoring 38. The game’s total points of 143 went over the pre-game O/U line of 134.5.

Highlanders Offense Breakdown

UC Riverside put up 75 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 56.6%, with a 57.1% success rate on two-point attempts.

At the free-throw line, the Highlanders hit 76.2%, and they grabbed 5 offensive rebounds. Barrington Hargress led the way with 20 points, while Kaleb Smith added 18 points, knocking down 4 of 9 from three-point range.

Highlanders Team Defense

UC Riverside's defense gave up 68 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 47% from the field on 25 of 53 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 16 of 28 shooting, which is 57%.

From three-point range, the Highlanders' defense saw the other team hit 9 of 25 shots, good for 36%. They also sent the opponent to the line 21 times, where they converted 16 free throws, a 76% rate. UC Riverside gave up 5 offensive rebounds.

Bobcats vs Highlanders Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past three road matchups, Montana State has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 69 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
When looking at their past five home matchups, UC Riverside has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 67 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Bobcats have a strong record vs the spread going 3-2. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-4.
Against the spread, the Highlanders have put together 0-2-1 in their last three games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 2-1 straight up.