Pacific vs Portland Prediction 1/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Pacific Tigers and the Portland Pilots meet Thursday in college basketball action from Chiles Center. Here’s a Pacific vs Portland prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Pacific vs Portland pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Pacific Tigers Betting Preview

The Tigers were able to win seven of their first nine games this year, taking losses to only Nevada and Florida Atlantic in that time. It’s been a shaky 4-4 run since then with losses to Cal, BYU, San Diego and LMU alongside a quartet of wins versus Simpson University CA, Nicholls, Oregon State and Pepperdine. Through 17 games this year that gives Pacific an 11-6 overall record.

In the Pepperdine matchup on Sunday, the Tigers were in the locker room with a 40-36 edge. Pacific scored another 34 points from there, eventually powering out the home victory 74-69 in the end. Elias Ralph was tops in scoring with a double-double on 22 points and 10 rebounds. Justin Rochelin added 14 points with eight rebounds and Jaden Clayton had 11 points in 33 minutes.

Portland Pilots Betting Preview

Over on the Portland side, they managed to win seven of their first 11 outings this season. The only losses in that time came versus Wyoming, Northern Colorado, St. Thomas-Minnesota and Stanford. It’s been losses to Oregon, UC Santa Barbara, Washington State, Santa Clara, Saint Mary’s and San Francisco since then however, giving Portland a 7-10 record in their first 17 games this year.

In the San Francisco game over the weekend, the Pilots were hanging on to a 34-27 edge by halftime. Portland was outscored 46-34 the rest of the way however, leading to a 73-68 loss in the end. Cameron Williams led the team with 21 points and six rebounds in the losing effort, while Joel Foxwell had 20 points with six assists. Jermaine Ballisager Webb added 12 points as well.

Pacific Tigers @ Portland Pilots Betting Trends: January 8, 2026

Why the Portland Pilots will win

• The home team has won nine of Pacific’s last 10 games.
• Pacific has lost each of its last four games at Earle A. & Virginia H. Chiles Center.

Why the Pacific Tigers will win

• Portland has lost each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Portland has lost the first half in three of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Pacific vs Portland Prediction

I’ll stick with Pacific, but you could call it either way. The Tigers shot very well from the field (52.9 percent), outside (9-of-20 for 45 percent) and the line (11-of-13 for 84.6 percent) in their latest five-point win at home over Pepperdine. Pacific added a 35-22 rebounding edge and a 34-22 advantage on points in the paint but also coughed up 18 turnovers in a sloppy ball-control game. Still, that gives the Tigers consecutive wins with a combined 158 points scored in those.

As for Portland, they couldn’t keep pace with a pretty decent San Francisco team despite holding the Dons to just 37.9 percent shooting in their latest loss. The Pilots were outmuscled on the boards 36-23 and had 16 turnovers, neither of which helped their cause. Portland has now lost six straight games, and they’ve given up 73 or more points in five of those outings.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Pacific Tigers -3.5