UC Riverside will be looking to spring a big upset when it travels to Oregon on Wednesday night. The Highlanders have won five of their last six games and are coming off a 76-74 win over Idaho on Sunday. Oregon has won three of its last four games, including a 78-65 victory over Nevada on Saturday.
UC Riverside got off to a slow start this season, losing two of its first three games. The Highlanders were 11.5-point underdogs in their loss to Colorado and were 19-point underdogs in their loss to Creighton, though. They sprung an 81-79 upset win over Loyola as 6-point underdogs in between those losses. UC Riverside has won five of its last six games, with the lone loss coming as a 5-point underdog against Cal Baptist at the end of November. The Highlanders had 11 days off following that loss, returning with a 76-74 win over Idaho as 6-point favorites on Sunday.
That's back-to-back @BigWestSports honors for the Highlanders.? ??
?#GoHighlanders pic.twitter.com/zFnVHlHGQ5— UCR Men's Basketball (@UCRMBB) December 13, 2022
They have not been a strong offensive team this season, ranked No. 193 of 363 Division I teams in effective field goal percentage (49.5). UC Riverside is not shooting well from the perimeter, knocking down just 30.8% of its 3-point tries. The Highlanders are also not grabbing many offensive rebounds and have struggled from the free throw line. They are facing the tallest team in the country on Wednesday, so it will be tough for UC Riverside to rectify its rebounding issues. Senior guard Zyon Pullin leads the Highlanders with 19.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Senior guard Flynn Cameron (11.1) and freshman forward Lachlan Olbrich (10.3) are both scoring in double figures as well.