UC Santa Barbara (15-8) vs Hawai'i (13-10)
February 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: UC Santa Barbara -5.5 — Over/Under: 136.5
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are visiting the UCSB Gauchos on Saturday, February 8th at The Thunderdome. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction. We will examine:
The UCSB Gauchos’ recent form and player performance
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCSB Gauchos
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Recent betting trends in games played between the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and UCSB Gauchos
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome in the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UCSB Gauchos game
UCSB Gauchos Preview
The UCSB Gauchos have a 15-8 record this season and are sitting in 6th place in the Big West. The Gauchos are coming off an 81-75 win over Cal State Bakersfield. The Gauchos are 9-12 against the spread, and 9-12 in over/under, while having a 9-4 home record.
Offensively, UCSB is averaging 74.7 points per game, which ranks 174th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 66.5 points per game (47th). The Gauchos shoot 48.1% from the field (37th) and 39.5% from beyond the arc, which is the 7th-best in the nation. The Gauchos shoot 74.7% from the free-throw line (86th) and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game (200th).
Stephan Swenson leads UCSB in scoring this season, with an average of 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-high 4.5 assists, while Kenny Pohto adds 12.1 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Preview
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have a 13-10 record this season and are sitting in 7th place in the Big West. They are coming off a 63-79 loss to Cal Poly. The Rainbow Warriors are 9-11-1 against the spread, and 10-10-1 in over/under, while having a 2-5 road record.
Offensively, Hawaii is averaging 72 points per game, which ranks 246th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 70.1 points per game (136th). The Rainbow Warriors shoot 45.9% from the field (116th, and 33.1% from beyond the arc (228th). The Rainbow Warriors shoot 72.5% from the free-throw line (166th) and are grabbing 36 rebounds per game (157th).
Gytis Nemeiksa leads Hawaii in scoring with an average of 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Tanner Christensen adds 10.6 points and a team-high 7 rebounds per game.
Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win
- Hawaii has lost each of its last seven games at The Thunderdome.
- UC Santa Barbara has won each of its last seven home games against Hawaii.
- UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 night games against Hawaii.
Why the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will win
- Hawaii has won seven of its last eight Saturday night games.
- The road team has won the first half in eight of the last nine games between Hawaii and UC Santa Barbara.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction
UCSB is 9-1 in their last 10 meetings against Hawaii and is 8-2 against the spread. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings, and in their most recent meeting earlier this season, UCSB won 64-61 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went under the point total.
In this Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UCSB Gauchos Prediction, UCSB is coming as -5.5 home favorites. UCSB is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, and have been very good at home, while Hawaii is terrible on the road. the Gauchos are 7-3 in their last 100 games, while Hawaii is 1-4 in their last 5. The Gauchos have been dominating the Rainbow Warriors in recent years and they will keep doing so in this game. Take the UCSB Gauchos and lay the points at home.