Ryan Wohl offers his college basketball insights and predictions as UC San Diego faces off against Loyola Marymount on Tuesday, December 16.
The matchup, set to wrap up the college basketball slate for the evening, features a promising contest between the Tritons of UC San Diego, who boast a strong record of 9-1, and the Loyola Marymount Lions, holding a record of 7-3. UC San Diego comes into this game on the heels of two consecutive victories since their sole loss, while Loyola Marymount is grappling with a downturn, having lost their last two games. Historically, this encounter marks the 44th meeting between these teams, with UC San Diego slightly ahead in the overall series at 22-21. However, Loyola Marymount has dominated the recent matchups, winning the last four encounters.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, UC San Diego is favored by 2.5 points, presenting them as the slight favorites, while Loyola Marymount is positioned as the underdog at +124.
In their last outing, Loyola Marymount didn’t fare well against Saint Louis, suffering a lopsided loss with a score of 91-70. The Lions have struggled to find their offensive rhythm recently, managing to score 70 or fewer points in their past four games. Although Jan Vide has contributed significantly this season with an average of 15.2 points, his absence since November 14 has undoubtedly affected the team’s performance. With three players averaging over 10 points per game, Myron Amey Jr. and Rodney Brown Jr. have been instrumental in maintaining the Lions’ scoring, combining for an impressive 28.2 points a game.
A look at the metrics shows that UC San Diego holds a notable advantage according to KenPom rankings, sitting at 87, compared to Loyola Marymount’s rank of 132. The Tritons excel offensively, boasting the 71st highest offensive rating, while their defense ranks 127th. In contrast, the Lions struggle offensively, rated 219th, despite a more respectable 68th rating on defense.
Offensively, UC San Diego has been impressive, scoring 87 or more points in four of their last five wins, led by standout player Leo Beath, who averages 19.1 points per game. Their shooting efficiency is noteworthy, with a three-point shooting percentage of 40.2%, placing them among the top shooting teams in college basketball.
Considering Loyola Marymount’s offensive inconsistency and their recent two-week layoff, the Tritons appear positioned for success. If UC San Diego capitalizes on their momentum and aggressive play early, they may secure another victory against the struggling Lions, making this matchup one to watch as the Tritons aim to extend their winning streak.