RAS Analysis: Pacific at UC Irvine (-1)

[RightAngle]

Sorry that I have not posted in a while, I hope everyone is having a good season.

Here is a 1 UNIT play for Thursday:

Pacific at UC Irvine (-1) - 7:00pm Pacific
For years I have sung the praises of Irvine head coach Pat Douglass. His coaching ability is demonstrated by the teams 33-11 record in last 44 games decided by 5 points or less including a 7-3 record in games decided by 7 points or less this season. This is key as this figures to be a closely contested game. The Anteaters are coming off a three game road losing streak. They blew a big lead and lost in OT at Long Beach State, held a 10 point first half lead before losing at conference heavy weight Utah State by 9, and last Saturday dropped a 5 point loss at Idaho. This game features a matchup of two of the conferences top big men. I give the edge to Irvine senior center Adam Parada over Pacific forward/center Christian Maraker. Both players lead their team in scoring at around 14 points per game but the bigger Parada is a much better rebounder and shotblocker. In the first meeting of the season, Parada was limited by foul trouble (19 minutes, fouled out) and scored just one point, his lowest output since his freshman season. Surely, we can expect a better game from him tonight. Very good looking sophomore guard Mike Efevberha (2nd on team in scoring) went 0-7 from the field and finished with just four points in first meeting. The Anteaters led by 4 at halftime at Pacific but went 0-14 from 3-point range in and were out shot 63% to 26% in the final 20 minutes. Irvine had just four more turnovers in the game, but Pacific ended with a 19 to 3 points off turnovers advantage.

The Tigers come in with an impressive 8-1 record in conference play. Their only loss coming vs Utah State. However, while Irvine just completed their three game road trip, Pacific is in the middle of their own. Pacific's four conference road wins have come exactly against the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th placed teams (UCR, Fullerton, Idaho, CSUN) in the ten team Big West. They were beaten soundly at Utah State 66-51. The Tigers were also 2-5 away from home in non-conference play (narrow wins over Texas State and Lamar). To win here they would have to easily give their best road performance of the season thus far.

In addition to leading scorers Parada and Efevberha having season low outputs, the Anteaters were also without the services of top reserve forward Greg Ethington in first meeting at Pacific. He has since returned from a four game absence due to academic situation. He will help in defending Pacific leading scorer Maraker. Irvine is a perfect 4-0 straight up and ATS in same season revenge games at home under Douglass. They are also 41-7 (.855) in their last 48 home games. Look for the Anteaters to snap losing streak.

UC Irvine 1 UNIT

Good luck,

Edward
Right Angle Sports
http://www.handicapper.net

 

[winkyduck]

i'm with you 100% here

i know some people on UOP - and i can see why - but i like the home team here - for many of the same reasons you do.

 

[Railbird]

Douglass is garbage like I said back in October, yes he won 3 National Titles at Bakersfield. But an asterisk goes with those titles, the players were paid 5000 a month by Bakersfield oil men. The Eaters have zero chemistry thanks to Douglass, if some guy makes 2 shots in a row he will sit him down for the rest of the half. I have made a fortune fading this trash team that is 7 losses in a row now. The reason for his prior success at UCI was because of Jerry Green period.

 

[Railbird]

Railbird-

I saw Pinegar play several times at BYU the guy is garbage, Im not a big Westphal fan either, and this is far from the best Pepperdine team, actually one of the worst ones in the last 6 years. Finn isnt that good, but Pepperdine made him look good, Harrison will have a field day tommorrow.
Posts: 3073 | Registered: May 11, 2003



Handicapper.net
Certifiably Crazy
posted November 24, 2003 03:12 AM
Dayton played very well and were just able to hold on despite having a double digit halftime lead. Pepperdine was a play or two away from winning. Have no idea where you get Dayton could have won by 20. They could not have played any better. Two key players were making their Pepperdine debut. They will benefit from the outing. Pinegar played at BYU two years ago, he is better and will have a good year.

Harrison only scored 10 vs Northwestern without a player over 6-8 in their starting lineup. Explain to me how he is going to have a field day here? I do like Harrison, but he has never been able to win games on his own. He does not play as well on the road, their whole team doesn't. You could make a living just betting against CU on the road. You would win over 60% the past 5 seasons.

For you to say its the worst Pepperdine team in 6 years is just wrong.

Good luck,

Edward

 

[GreenDoberman]

Pepp. playing a lot better recently now that the big African kid is eligible. McGowan has been hit and miss, but Waves finally have a little bit of depth and are upper to mid-WCC pack right now. Westphal still a garbage coach though, but they have more talent than everyone but the Zags in the conference if they are reasonably healthy.