CSU Fullerton vs UC San Diego Prediction 1/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Cal State Fullerton Titans and the UC San Diego Tritons meet Thursday in college basketball action from the LionTree Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cal State Fullerton Titans vs. UC San Diego Tritons prediction.

Cal State Fullerton Titans Recap

The Cal State Fullerton Titans come into this game looking to bounce back from an 86-64 loss at the hands of UC Irvine last time out to sit at 6-10 this season. After this game, Cal State Fullerton will head home for a game against CSU Northridge.

Titans Drop 3 Of Last 4

Joshua Ward leads the Titans across the board with 14.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 3.2 APG while Bryce Cofield has 12.7 PPG and 4.6 RPG along with 2.4 APG. Landon Seaman has 13.4 PPG with 4.2 RPG and Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro has 12.9 PPG with 3.6 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Cal State Fullerton so far this season. Jaden Henderson also has 8.8 PPG with 2.6 RPG and 2.2 APG while KJ Garris has 9.5 PPG with 3.7 RPG and Christian Williams has 8.2 PPG with 4.2 RPG and 2.4 APG as well this season. As a team, Cal State Fullerton is averaging 86.7 PPG on 45.8% shooting from the field, 32.7% from three and 70.2% from the foul line so far this season.

UC San Diego Tritons Recap

The UC San Diego Tritons come into this game looking to add on to their 83-73 win over Hawaii last time out to sit at 12-3 this season. After this game, UC San Diego will head on the road for a game against UC Riverside.

Tritons Alternate Wins & Losses In 5 Straight

Leo Beath leads the Tritons in scoring with 16.7 PPG with 4.3 RPG while Tom Beattie has 11.4 PPG with team-highs of 5.5 RPG And 3.7 APG to lead the Tritons in rebounding and assists. Bol Dengdit has 10.1 PPG with 5.3 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for UC San Diego so far this season. Aidan Burke has added 9.6 PPG with 3.2 RPG and 2.3 APG and Alex Chaikin has 9.6 PPG with 2.2 RPG. Emanuel Prospere II has 8.5 PPG with 4.5 RPG and 3.4 APG and Hudson Mayes has 7.7 PPG with 4.7 RPG as well this season. As a team, UC San Diego is averaging 81.6 PPG on 48.4% shooting from the field, 36.5% from three and 68.8% from the foul line this season. 

Cal State Fullerton Titans @ UC San Diego Tritons Betting Trends: January 8, 2026

Why the UC San Diego Tritons will win

• Cal State Fullerton has lost 20 of its last 21 night games against Conference opponents.
• UC San Diego has won 17 of its last 18 games against Conference opponents.
• UC San Diego has won the first half in each of its last eight games against Conference opponents at LionTree Arena.

Why the Cal State Fullerton Titans will win

• Cal State Fullerton has won the first half in three of its last four night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UC San Diego’s last 26 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 163 or fewer points.
• Sixty-six of Cal State Fullerton’s last 69 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 163 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC San Diego ranks T27th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (11.3).
• UC San Diego ranks 35th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (16.1).
• Cal State Fullerton ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for pace this season (78.4).
• Cal State Fullerton ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (10.8).

Cal State Fullerton Titans vs. UC San Diego Tritons Prediction

I’m on the Tritons here. I just think that the Tritons are the team to beat in the Big West, and we’ve seen them stomp out teams at home, especially Fullerton in the all-time matchups between these two teams. I think the Tritons take care of business to add onto their dominance of Cal State Fullerton so give me UC San Diego here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: UC San Diego -13.5