UC Santa Barbara vs CSU Northridge Prediction 3/13/25 College Basketball Picks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cal State Northridge Matadors

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCSB Gauchos

Recent betting trends in games played between the UCSB Gauchos and Cal State Northridge Matadors

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors game

Cal State Northridge Matadors Preview

The Cal State Northridge Matadors finished the regular season with a 22-9 record and were placed 4th in the Big West. The Matadors are coming off an 82-73 win over Hawaii. The Matadors are 15-14 against the spread and 16-13 in over/under.

Offensively, Cal State Northridge is averaging 80.9 points per game, which ranks 39th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 72.3 points per game (197th). The Matadors shoot 46.8% from the field (70th) and 35% from beyond the arc (120th). The Matadors shoot 72.4% from the free-throw line (163rd) and are grabbing 40.2 rebounds per game, which is the 11th-best nationally.

Marcus Adams leads Cal State Northridge in scoring this season, with an average of 16.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Scotty Washington adds 14.5 points and 3 rebounds per game. 

UCSB Gauchos Preview

The UCSB Gauchos have a 20-12 record so far this season and were placed 5th in the Big West. The Gauchos are coming off a 71-66 win over Cal State Bakersfield in the first round of the tournament last night. The Gauchos are 12-18 against the spread, and 14-16 in over/under.

Offensively, UCSB is averaging 74.9 points per game, which ranks 145th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 68.7 points per game (86th). The Gauchos shoot with 47.2% from the field (52nd) and 39.1% from beyond the arc, which is the 5th-best in the nation. The Gauchos shoot 76% from the free-throw line (41st) and are grabbing 31 rebounds per game (236th). 

Stephan Swenson leads UCSB in scoring this season, with an average of 13 points, 3.6 rebounds, and a team-high 4.4 assists, while Kenny Pohto adds 11.9 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game.

Why the Cal State Northridge Matadors will win

• Cal State Northridge has won each of its last four games against UC Santa Barbara.
• Cal State Northridge has won the first half in three of its last four games against UC Santa Barbara.

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• Cal State Northridge has lost eight of its last nine games against the Big West Conference at neutral venues.
• UC Santa Barbara has won seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in seven of its last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Cal State Northridge's last nine Conference Tournament games have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
• Eighteen of UC Santa Barbara's last 21 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Cal State Northridge ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (18.2).
• Cal State Northridge ranks T357th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (9.6).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.9).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (77.1%).

UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors Prediction

Cal State Northridge is 4-0 in their last 4 meetings against UCSB and is 4-0 against the spread. Over is 6-0 in their last 6 meetings, and Cal State Northridge has won both meetings against UCSB this season. At home by 103-77 and on the road by 78-71, covering the spread in both, as both games went over the point total.

In this UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors Prediction, Cal State Northridge is coming as -2.5-point favorites. Cal State Northridge has a slightly better record this season and has more wins away from home than UCSB (10 to 7). But Cal State Northridge is not in very good form coming into this matchup, as they are 2-2 in their last 4 games and just 2-6 against the spread in their last 8. UCSB is 1-2 in their last 3 games and just 1-4 against the spread in their last 5, so I see no value on either side. Both teams are 9-3 to the over in their last 12 games combined, and both of their meetings this season were also high-scoring ones. I expect another high-scoring affair, so give me the over.