Portland vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction 12/22/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Portland Pilots and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos meet Monday in college basketball action from the Thunderdome. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Portland Pilots vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos prediction.

Portland Pilots Recap

The Portland Pilots come into this game looking to bounce back from their 94-69 loss at the hands of Oregon last time out to sit at 7-5 this season. After this game, Portland will head home for a game against Washington State.

Pilots Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped

Joel Foxwell leads the Pilots in scoring and assists with 13.7 PPG with 7.1 APG and 4.6 RPG while Mikah Ballew has 11.9 PPG and Timo George has 13 PPG with 5 RPG as well on the year. James O’Donnell has 10.8 PPG with 5.8 RPG to lead the Pilots on the glass and Cameron Williams also has 11.7 PPG with 5.3 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Portland up to this point in the year. As a team, Portland is averaging 83.4 PPG on 50.3% shooting from the field, 32.1% from three and 72.2% from the foul line this season.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Recap

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos come into this game looking to bounce back from a 67-64 loss at the hands of Green Bay last time out to sit at 8-4 this season. After this game, UCSB will head on the road for a game against Cal State Fullerton.

Gauchos Drop Back-To-Back Games

Aidan Mahaney leads the Gauchos in scoring with 14.9 PPG along with 2.8 APG and Colin Smith has 12.5 PPG with 3.9 RPG. Miro Little has 11.7 PPG with 5 RPG and a team-high 3.9 APG to lead UC Santa Barbara in assists and Zion Sensley has 10.8 PPG with a team-high 7.8 RPG to lead UC Santa Barbara in rebounding and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for UC Santa Barbara so far this season. As a team, UC-Santa Barbara is averaging 79.4 PPG on 46.8% shooting from the field, 37.1% from three and 76.2% from the foul line this season.

Portland Pilots @ UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Trends: December 22, 2025

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Santa Barbara has won each of its last nine day games at The Thunderdome following a road loss.
• Portland has lost each of its last four road games.
• UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in each of its last 11 games at The Thunderdome.

Why the Portland Pilots will win

• Portland has won four of its last five games against the Big West Conference.
• UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Twelve of UC Santa Barbara’s last 13 day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
• Eight of Portland’s last nine road games against the Big West Conference have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Santa Barbara ranks 359th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.9%).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (29.3).
• Portland ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (10.7).
• Portland ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (78.3%).

Portland Pilots vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Prediction

I’m on Portland and the points here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, but I just haven’t been impressed with the Gauchos, and while I think UCSB is the more talented team, I think Portland has a coaching edge and can keep themselves within this number. Give me the Pilots here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Portland +8.5