UC Davis vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction 1/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The UC Davis Aggies and the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Corbett Sports Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UC Davis Aggies vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos prediction.

UC Davis Aggies Recap

The UC Davis Aggies come into this game looking to bounce back from an 81-79 loss at the hands of Cal State Bakersfield last time out to sit at 8-6 this season. After this game, UC Davis will head on the road for a game against Cal Poly.

Aggies Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped

Connor Sevilla leads the Aggies in scoring with 14.5 PPG along with 2 RPG while Nils Cooper has 14.3 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Isaiah Chappell has 10.6 PPG with 4.5 RPG this season. Marcus Wilson has 10.4 PPG with 3.1 RPG and 3.6 APG while Niko Rocak has 9.4 PPG with a team-high 5.4 RPG to lead UC Davis in rebounding and Brayden Fagbemi has 7.3 PPG with 3.1 RPG and team-highs of 4.7 APG and 2.3 SPG to lead UC Davis in assists and steals as well this season. As a team, UC Davis is averaging 80.4 PPG on 47.4% shooting from the field, 35.4% from three and 75.2% 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 74-65 loss at the hands of CSU Northridge last time out to sit at 9-6 this season. After this game, UCSB Will head on the road for a game against Cal State Bakersfield.

Gauchos Drop 4 Of Last 5

Aidan Mahaney leads the Gauchos in scoring with 14.9 PPG along with 2.8 APG and Colin Smith has 11.1 PPG with 3.7 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 10.3 PPG with a team-high 7.7 RPG to lead UC Santa Barbara in rebounding. CJ Shaw has 10.9 PPG 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 78.7 PPG on 46.8% shooting from the field, 37% from three and 76.9% from the foul line this season.

UC Davis Aggies @ UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Trends: January 8, 2026

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Davis has lost nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents.
• The home team has won each of UC Santa Barbara’s last four games.
• UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in each of its last 12 games at The Thunderdome.

Why the UC Davis Aggies will win

• UC Davis has won each of its last four games against UC Santa Barbara.
• UC Santa Barbara has lost four of its last five games.
• UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in four of its last five games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UC Davis’ last 11 road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
• Eight of the last nine games between UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara at The Thunderdome have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Santa Barbara ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (29.7).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (53.2).
• UC Davis ranks 33rd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.4).

UC Davis Aggies vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Prediction

I’m on UC Santa Barbara here. I just think that the Gauchos are the better team in this matchup and historically, UC Santa Barbara is a team that you can trust at home and I just didn’t like what I saw from Davis at Bakersfield last time out. I think UCSB defends home court and bags the win and cover here. Give me UCSB.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: UC Santa Barbara -4.5