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BYU Cougars vs UC Riverside Highlanders Betting Preview
BYU Cougars (7-1) host the UC Riverside Highlanders (5-5) on Saturday night in Provo. BYU enters ranked No. 10 nationally, riding momentum from a historic comeback win over Clemson, while UC Riverside faces its first power-conference opponent of the season.
Line Movement and Odds
- BYU Cougars Spread: -23.5
- UC Riverside Highlanders Spread: +23.5
- BYU Cougars MoneyLine: -10000
- UC Riverside Highlanders MoneyLine: +2500
- Total: 147.5
BYU opened as a massive home favorite, reflecting their national ranking and offensive firepower. UC Riverside’s road-heavy schedule and inconsistent defense have kept the line wide, with oddsmakers expecting BYU to dominate. The total of 147.5 points suggests expectations for a moderately high-scoring contest, driven by BYU’s pace and efficiency. See updated numbers and market shifts on the College Basketball Odds page.
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Matchup Breakdown
BYU Cougars Outlook
Freshman AJ Dybantsa starred in BYU’s 67-64 comeback win over Clemson, scoring 28 points with nine rebounds and six assists. He scored or assisted on 34 of BYU’s 45 second-half points, showcasing his NBA-level potential. Robert Wright III hit the game-winning three, while BYU’s defense held Clemson to two baskets over a 15-minute stretch. The Cougars average 83.4 points per game and have picked up Quad 1 wins over Miami and Clemson. Coach Kevin Young emphasized competitive spirit and defensive intensity as keys to sustaining success.
UC Riverside Highlanders Outlook
The Highlanders split Big West games last week, losing to UC Irvine and beating Cal Poly. Andrew Henderson scored 28 against the Mustangs, while Marqui Worthy Jr. averaged 25 points in conference play. UC Riverside averages 72.1 points per game but has struggled defensively, allowing 73.6. With eight of their first 11 games on the road, fatigue and depth remain concerns. Coach David Patrick highlighted Henderson and Worthy as offensive catalysts, but the Highlanders must improve consistency to compete against BYU.
Key Matchup / Path to Victory
BYU’s balanced scoring and defensive adjustments versus UC Riverside’s backcourt production is the focal battle. The Cougars must continue to feed Dybantsa and control tempo, while the Highlanders rely on Henderson and Worthy to generate offense and avoid turnovers.
Injuries / Availability
BYU: Full roster available.
UC Riverside: Full roster available.
Betting Trends
- BYU is 2-0 at home this season.
- The Cougars have scored 100+ points in four games.
- UC Riverside is 3-4 on the road.
- The Highlanders lost 80-57 to Cal Baptist, a team BYU beat 91-60.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Projected Final Score: BYU 89, UC Riverside 61
- Pick: BYU -23.5. The Cougars’ offensive depth and home-court advantage should allow them to cover comfortably.
- Total: Under 147.5. UC Riverside’s offensive inconsistency points to a lower-scoring outcome despite BYU’s pace.
Expect BYU to dominate at home, with Dybantsa continuing his breakout and the Cougars’ defense overwhelming UC Riverside.
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