California Baptist (11-11) vs Grand Canyon (17-5)
February 8, 2025 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: California Baptist +5.5 — Over/Under: 145.5
The Grand Canyon Antelopes and the California Baptist Lancers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Dale E and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center. Here’s a Grand Canyon vs Cal Baptist prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Grand Canyon vs Cal Baptist pick. We will examine:
The Grand Canyon Antelopes’ recent form and player performance
The California Baptist Lancers’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Grand Canyon Antelopes
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the California Baptist Lancers
Recent betting trends in games played between Grand Canyon and Cal Baptist
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Grand Canyon vs Cal Baptist game
Grand Canyon Antelopes Betting Preview
Grand Canyon posted a pretty spotty record early in the season, but they’ve been great since mid-December. The Antelopes went 6-4 in their first 10 outings, beating Cal State Fullerton, Western Kentucky, Norfolk State, Stanford, Hawaii, and Life Pacific in that time. Since then Grand Canyon has lost just one game (January 9 versus Utah Valley). Otherwise, it’s been victories over Chicago State, Saint Louis, San Diego, Bryant, Southern Utah, Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, Southern Utah, Utah Tech, Seattle U, and Utah Valley in that time. The result in the record column so far has been a 17-5 overall run for the Lopes through 22 games.
In their Utah Valley matchup last weekend, the Antelopes came out of the first half in good shape with a 37-24 advantage. Grand Canyon kept it up in the second with a 38-33 run and took the eventual win 75-57 in the end. Leading the team in scoring among starters was Makaih Williams with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Tyon Grant-Foster came off the bench for 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes, and Duke Brennan doubled up on 10 points and 12 boards in the win.
Cal Baptist Lancers Betting Preview
Over on the Lancers’ side, they’ve been fighting off a .500 record for most of the season with varying results. Cal Baptist lost to UC Riverside, Northern Colorado, SMU, UCF, San Diego State, and Middle Tennessee in their first 11 games, then hit a 3-1 run with wins over Fresno State, Jackson State, and Seattle U among a lone loss to UC Irvine. Since then it’s been a 3-4 run with wins over Abilene Christian (twice) and Southern Utah. The losses otherwise were versus Utah Valley (twice), Tarleton State, and Southern Utah, giving the Lancers an overall record of 11-11 through 22 games this year so far.
Matched up against Southern Utah on Thursday, the Lancers were trailing 33-27 by halftime. Cal Baptist got better from there on a 30-27 run but eventually took the loss 60-57 in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Dominique Daniels with 18 points, two rebounds, and two assists. The only other team player to finish in double-figures was AJ Braun with 12 points and eight rebounds, but Javonte Johnson chipped in nine points and three steals off the bench.
Why the California Baptist Lancers will win
- California Baptist has won each of its last seven home games following a home loss.
Why the Grand Canyon Antelopes will win
- Grand Canyon has won 12 of its last 13 games against Conference opponents.
- California Baptist has lost the first half in five of its last six day games against Conference opponents.
Grand Canyon vs Cal Baptist Prediction
I’ll stay with the Lopes here. Grand Canyon didn’t have too many issues with a pretty decent Utah Valley team in their last outing, hitting 47.6 percent from the field and 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) from the line alongside a 42-33 rebounding edge. The 14 turnovers for nine Wolverines points were just about the only blemish. The Antelopes are scoring very well these days, with 74 or more points in each installment of this current six-game win streak.
As for Cal Baptist, they’ve been pretty choppy when it comes to scoring during their current 3-2 stretch. The Lancers have been below 70 points in three of those. Cal Baptist could keep pace here if all goes well, but in the end I like the Antelopes to power one out on the road.