CSU Northridge vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction 1/30/25 College Basketball Picks

The Cal State Northridge Matadors are visiting the UCSB Gauchos on Thursday, January 30th at The Thunderdome. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction. We will examine:

The UCSB Gauchos’ recent form and player performance

The Cal State Northridge Matadors’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCSB Gauchos

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cal State Northridge Matadors

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

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

UCSB Gauchos Preview

The UCSB Gauchos have a 13-7 record this season and are sitting in the 6th place in the Big West. The Gauchos are coming off an 83-75 win over UC Bakersfield. The Gauchos are 7-11 against the spread, and 6-12 in over/under, while having an 8-3 home record.

Offensively, UCSB is averaging 74 points per game, which ranks 206th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 66.1 points per game (45th). The Gauchos shoot 47.2% from the field (66th) and 37.6% from beyond the arc (31st). The Gauchos shoot 75.1% from the free-throw line (72nd) and are grabbing 35.9 rebounds per game (168th). 

Kenny Pohto leads UCSB in scoring this season, with an average of 12.7 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds, while Stephan Swenson adds 12.2 points. 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 4.4 assists.

Cal State Northridge Matadors Preview

The Cal State Northridge Matadors have a 13-7 record this season and are sitting in 5th place in the Big West. The Matadors are coming off a 54-79 loss to UC San Diego. The Matadors are 10-8 against the spread, and 9-9 in over/under while having a 6-5 road record.

Offensively, Cal State Northridge is averaging 80.3 points per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.3 points per game (184th). The Matadors shoot 46.7% from the field (88th) and 33.7% from beyond the arc (194th). The Matadors shoot 70.3% from the free-throw line (238th) and are grabbing 40.8 rebounds per game, which is the 13th-best nationally.

Marcus Adams leads Cal State Northridge in scoring this season, with an average of 15.7 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Scotty Washington adds 14.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Santa Barbara has won four of its last five home games.
• UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in seven of its last nine games against Cal State Northridge.

Why the Cal State Northridge Matadors will win

• Cal State Northridge has won each of its last four games following a road loss.
• UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in 12 of its last 14 games against the Big West Conference at The Thunderdome.

Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UCSB Gauchos Head-to-Head

Cal State Northridge is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against UCSB and is 3-1 against the spread. Over is 4-0 in their last 4 meetings and in their most recent meeting last season, Cal State Northridge won 87-84 in overtime on the road, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total. 

Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction

In this Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction, UCSB is coming as -1 home favorites. Both teams have identical records this season, and both have been in poor form lately. The Gauchos are 0-5 against the spread in their last 5 games and the Matadors are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5. Both teams have been playing some lower-scoring games lately, as they are 10-5 to the under in their last 15 games combined, and I expect more of the same in this game. Take the under.