DENVER PIONEERS @ UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS

Homecoming on the Highlanders’ floor

UC Riverside hosts Denver at SRC Arena for Homecoming in the Highlanders’ second game of the season.

Denver showed late fight in its opener

Denver fell 75-68 at Wisconsin but cut the deficit to four in the second half.

Carson Johnson gives Denver a proven scoring focal point

Carson Johnson scored a game-high 27 against Wisconsin, shooting 9-for-17 and going 7-for-7 at the line.

UCR’s opener showcased offensive balance

Five Highlanders reached double figures in the 110-47 win over La Verne, and UC Riverside shot 57.5%, though the opponent was lower-division.

Series history favors the home side

UC Riverside leads the all-time series 4-2, while the teams are 2-2 since Denver returned to Division I in 1998-99.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Wait for a posted number

No spread, total, or moneyline was listed, so there is not enough market information for a price-based pick.

Be cautious with the total

With one game of current-season evidence for each team and different opponents, the opening scores provide a weak basis for an over/under wager.

Don’t overrate the opener’s margin

Do not treat the opponent-strength gap as proof that UC Riverside will cover a large number against Denver.