California at No. 23 UNLV Rebels
Friday, 12/23/11, 5:00 PM EST, TV: N/A
Opening Point Spread: UNLV -5
Current Betting Line: UNLV -5
Opening Total: 138
Current Total: 138
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
California hits the road for the first time since dropping a 64-63 decision to the San Diego State Aztecs, as it looks to extend its four-game win streak. The Golden Bears are coming off an impressive 70-50 win over the UCSB Gauchos as 8.5-point home favorites despite being without its top defender Jorge Gutierrez being out with an illness. “It shows that we have other weapons on the team,” commented Golden Bears guard Allen Crabbe. The program tallied a 73-55 victory over UNLV in its last trip to Sin City on Nov. 28, 2008. California is 1-4 ATS in its last five road games.
The Golden Bears are led offensively by Crabbe averaging 16.1 points per game, while two other starters join him in double figures. California is definitely making a name for itself on defense, ranking second in the Pac-12 Conference in limiting opponents to just 56.0 points per game, while leading the way in allowing teams to shoot just 38.1 percent from the floor. California has lost five straight against ranked competition since tallying a 57-50 win over Temple on Nov. 25, 2010.
UNLV has won its last three games since dropping a 62-51 affair to the Wisconsin Badgers as 9.5-point road underdogs on Dec. 10. The Runnin’ Rebels will put their perfect 7-0 record at the Thomas & Mack Center on the line. “Final exams are done, so our guys can concentrate 100 percent on basketball, and this is the time of the year we can make great improvement getting ready for conference play,” stated Runnin’ Rebels head coach Dave Rice. Four players are averaging double figures in scoring—led by Chace Stanback’s 14.5 points per game. UNLV is 7-19 ATS in its last 26 home games.
The Runnin’ Rebels are outscoring opponents by an average of 13.7 points per game and are shooting 46.8 percent from the field. UNLV returned four starters and four other letterwinners from last season’s squad that finished with a 24-9 overall record. This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams, with the Runnin’ Rebels winning three of the last four, while also coming in with a 56-47 record against teams that are currently in the Pac-12 Conference.
Bettors will likely back the Runnin’ Rebels due to their 5-2 ATS mark following a spread loss, while the Golden Bears are 1-4 ATS after playing three or more consecutive home games.
