Offense meets defense when the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (9-3) welcome the San Francisco Dons (12-1) to Thunderdome. The game is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
San Francisco Dons vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Prediction
In the Dons’ last game, they dismantled the UC Davis Aggies, 76-42. The Dons had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.4 vs. 13.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.574 vs. 0.304). Jordan Ratinho fueled San Francisco with 14 points.
The Gauchos were victorious over the Wyoming Cowboys in their last game, 76-66. The Gauchos had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.585 vs. 0.405) and had a much better free throw rate (0.447 vs. 0.328). Jaquori McLaughlin led UC Santa Barbara in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field.
After the Gauchos won the sole contest against the Dons last season, 79-72, these teams will clash for the first time this year. UC Santa Barbara’s 0.526 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over San Francisco, who had a mark of 0.403.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. UC Santa Barbara ranks 50th in offensive efficiency and San Francisco is sixth in defensive efficiency. The Dons should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 21st at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.7 percent), while the Gauchos force the 69th-fewest turnovers in the country (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.4 percent).
San Francisco Dons vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – San Francisco, ATS Winner – UC Santa Barbara, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
San Francisco ranks 89th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while UC Santa Barbara ranks 243rd (17.6).
The Dons rank 22nd in rebounds per game (40.8) while the Gauchos rank 87th (37.8).
San Francisco is 12th in the nation with 9.7 assists allowed per game while UC Santa Barbara is 52nd with 11.4 assists allowed per game.
The Gauchos rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while the Dons rank 61st (3.1).
UC Santa Barbara is eighth in the nation with 4.5 steals allowed per game while San Francisco is 11th with 4.4 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Dons’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 29.4, up from 20.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gauchos have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 63.6 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
^^^^^
