UC-Santa Barbara (6-1) vs UC San Diego (6-2)
Game Info: Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 10:00 pm (Thunderdome)
Betting Odds: UC-Santa Barbara -1.5 / UC San Diego +1.5 --- Over/Under: 138.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The UC San Diego Tritons and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos meet Thursday in college basketball action from UCSB Events Center. Here’s a UC San Diego vs UC Santa Barbara prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UC San Diego vs UC Santa Barbara pick. We will examine:
The UC San Diego Tritons' recent form and player performance
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos' recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC San Diego Tritons
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Recent betting trends in games played between UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UC San Diego vs UC Santa Barbara game
UC San Diego Tritons Betting Preview
The Tritons posted a spotty 2-2 start this year, taking losses to San Diego State and Seattle U in that time. Since then it’s been four straight wins, however, as UCSD has dispatched La Salle, James Madison, Toledo, and La Verne.
Back on Saturday in the La Verne game, the Tritons jumped out to a silly 50-8 advantage in the first half. After 59 more points, UC San Diego had a stunning blowout 109-33 win. Justin Rochelin led the team with 15 bench points and four boards. UC San Diego will play against CSU Bakersfield after this game.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Preview
Over on the Gauchos’ side, they’ve got just one loss in the books this year; a 79-76 affair versus UTEP. UC Santa Barbara has otherwise beaten San Francisco State, Portland, Fresno State, San Jose State, Eastern Washington, and MS Valley State.
Matched up against the Delta Devils last Friday, the Gauchos were up 43-21 in the locker room and cruised to an 81-48 blowout win after 38 second-half points. Zion Sensley topped the team with 16 points with one rebound and one assist off the bench. UC Santa Barbara will meet UC Davis following this one.
Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win
- UC Santa Barbara has won six of its last seven games.
- UC San Diego has lost three of its last four road night games against the Big West Conference.
- UC San Diego has lost the first half in four of its last five games against Conference opponents.
Why the UC San Diego Tritons will win
- UC San Diego has won each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost four of its last five night games against Conference opponents at The Thunderdome.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents at The Thunderdome.
UC San Diego vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction
I’ve got to stay with the Gauchos here. UC Santa Barbara had very little trouble with MS Valley State in their last outing, hitting 50 percent from the field with a 41-28 rebounding edge. The Gauchos have scored 76 or more points in five of seven games so far and should hang a solid total here as well.
As for UC San Diego, they demolished an ice-cold and overmatched La Verne team in their last outing to the tune of 52.6 percent shooting and 53 rebounds. The Tritons are on a roll right now, scoring 72 or more points in four straight victories. If all goes well UC San Diego should be able to give the Gauchos a game, but at home, I like UC Santa Barbara a little more. It’ll be a fun one to watch, though.
Andrew’s Pick UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -1.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
