UC Riverside Highlanders vs UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Matchup

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

UC Riverside vs UNLV Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Highlanders versus the Runnin' Rebels? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on MWN. The game will be played at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 141.5 points, with UNLV being favored by -9.5 over UC Riverside.

UC Riverside vs. UNLV Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UC Riverside Highlanders at UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Where: Las Vegas at Thomas & Mack Center
Date: Saturday, December 21st
Betting Odds UNLV -9.5, UCRVS +359 | UNLV -484 O/U 141.5

Highlanders Preview: Will UC Riverside Make it Happen on the Road?

UC Riverside Highlanders Recent Game/Games

UC Riverside improved to 6-4 on the season with an 83-80 home win over Montana State on Wednesday. The Highlanders were -2.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the game’s total points of 163 went over the pre-game line of 143.5.

After trailing 53-41 at halftime, UC Riverside clamped down defensively, allowing just 27 points in the second half while scoring 42 of their own to complete the comeback.

Highlanders Offense Breakdown

UC Riverside put up 83 points in their latest game, shooting 53.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 57.1%. They were dominant inside, hitting 61% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 33.3% from beyond the arc (5/15). At the free-throw line, the Highlanders were nearly perfect, making 18 of 20 attempts for 90%.

Brandon Walker led the way with 31 points in just 24 minutes, shooting 70% overall and 60% from three (3/5). Barrington Hargress added 22 points and dished out 10 assists, while Max Agbonkpolo contributed 20 points and 6 rebounds, hitting 50% from the field and 3/6 from three-point range.

Highlanders Team Defense

UC Riverside's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points on 53% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to hit 61% of their two-point attempts, with 25 made shots from inside the arc.

From three-point range, the Highlanders held their opponent to 33% shooting, with 5 made threes on 15 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 18 of those attempts, shooting 90%.

Runnin' Rebels Preview: Can UNLV Grab a Win at Home?

UNLV fell to 5-5 on the season after a narrow 66-65 road loss to Dayton on Tuesday. Despite being +10.5 point underdogs, the Runnin' Rebels kept it close and covered the spread.

UNLV led 28-27 at halftime but allowed 39 points in the second half while scoring 37. The total points for the game were 131, falling under the 140.5 O/U line.

Runnin' Rebels Offense Breakdown

UNLV's offense put up 65 points in their last game, shooting 41.5% from the field. They connected on 42.1% of their three-point attempts, hitting 8 of 19 from deep, and were strong from the free-throw line, making 81.2% of their attempts.

Dedan Thomas Jr. led the team with 16 points and 6 assists, though he shot just 35.7% from the field. Julian Rishwain was a key contributor from beyond the arc, hitting 4 of 7 threes and finishing with 12 points.

Runnin' Rebels Team Defense

UNLV's defense gave up 66 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 47% from the field. They allowed 63% shooting on two-point attempts, with the other team hitting 19 of 30 shots.

From beyond the arc, UNLV held the other team to 23% shooting, as they made just 5 of 21 three-point attempts. The opposing team also went 13/16 from the free-throw line, shooting 81%. UNLV allowed 7 offensive rebounds.

Highlanders vs Runnin' Rebels Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last ten games away from home, the Highlanders have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 72 points per game in these contests.
Although UNLV has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 69 points per game in these games.
UC Riverside has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Runnin' Rebels have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.