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Hawai’i vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction 1/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks
Pick details
| MATCHUP | Hawai'i Warriors | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 13-3 | 10-7 |
| Where | The Thunderdome, Santa Barbara, CA | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 09:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Preview
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos have a 10-7 record this season and are tied in the 6th place of the Big West. They have a 6-2 home record and are coming off a 93-86 home loss against UC Davis. Their previous three games were a 74-65 away loss against Cal State Northridge, a 95-84 away loss against Cal State Fullerton and a 79-61 home win against Portland.
Offensively, UC Santa Barbara averages 78.9 points per game, while allowing 74.2 points per game defensively. The Gauchos shoot with 47% from the field and grab 35.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.9 assists per game. They average 2.6 blocks per game and 7.0 steals per game defensively.
Aidan Mahaney leads UC Santa Barbara in scoring, with an average of 15 points per game, while shooting with 43.7% from the field and 80.4% from the free throw line, and leads the team in assists with 2.8 per game. Zion Sensley is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.3 per game.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Preview
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have a 13-3 record this season and are tied in the 1st place of the Big West. They have a 2-2 road record and are coming off a 67-66 home win against UC Irvine. Their previous three games were an 83-73 away loss against UC San Diego, a 88-45 away win against UC Riverside and a 66-61 home win against UTEP.
Offensively, Hawai’i averages 79.5 points per game, while allowing 63.6 points per game defensively. The Rainbow Warriors shoot with 47% from the field and grab 40.4 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.1 assists per game. They average 4.1 blocks per game and 6.5 steals per game defensively.
Isaac Johnson leads Hawai’i in scoring, with an average of 12.9 points per game, while shooting with 52.1% from the field and 90.2% from the free throw line, and is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.5 per game. Aaron Hunkin-Claytor leads the team in assists with 4.1 per game.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors @ UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win
- UC Santa Barbara has won each of its last eight home games against Hawaii.
- Hawaii has lost each of its last seven night games at The Thunderdome.
- UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in each of its last 13 games at The Thunderdome.
Why the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will win
- Hawaii has won nine of its last 10 games.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost three of its last four games.
- Hawaii has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of UC Santa Barbara’s last eight night games at The Thunderdome have produced a total of 152+ points.
- Four of Hawaii’s last five night games at The Thunderdome have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
Hawaii vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction
In this Hawaii vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction, Hawaii is coming as -2 road favorites. Hawaii has been the better team this season but they have been mediocre on the road, while Santa Barbara has been good at home. But Santa Barbara is coming into this matchup in poor form, as they are 2-5 in their last 7 games and 1-6 against the spread, while on the flip side, Hawaii is 9-1 in its last 10 games and have a top-40 defense in the nation this season, so I expect them to dominate this game. Take Hawaii and lay the points on the road in this one.
