| MATCHUP | UC Riverside Highlanders | CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 6-10 | 8-9 |
| Where | Icardo Center, Bakersfield, CA | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 09:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Preview
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners have a 7-9 record this season and are tied for 10th place in Big West Conference. They have a 5-3 home record and are coming off an 81-79 away win against UC Davis. Their previous three games were an 81-77 home loss against UC Irvine, a 64-63 home win against Idaho and a 97-66 home win against Noble.
Offensively, Cal State Bakersfield averages 73.6 points per game, while allowing 77.9 points per game defensively. The Roadrunners shoot with 42% from the field and grab 35.4 rebounds per game, while dishing out 10.7 assists per game. They average 5.4 blocks per game and 8.1 steals per game defensively.
Dailin Smith leads Cal State Bakersfield in scoring, with an average of 14.9 points per game, while shooting with 34.1% from the field and 77.8% from the free throw line. Pierre Geneste Jr. is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.4 per game, while CJ Hardy adds a team-high 2.7 assists per game.
UC Riverside Highlanders Preview
UC Riverside Highlanders have a 6-9 record this season and are tied for 8th place in Big West Conference. They have a 3-7 road record and are coming off an 88-45 home loss against Hawai’i. Their previous three games were a 97-65 away loss against UCLA, a 92-78 away loss against Saint Martin’s and a 95-70 home win against Stanislaus State.
Offensively, UC Riverside averages 72.3 points per game, while allowing 78.9 points per game defensively. The Highlanders shoot with 45% from the field and grab 34.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.8 assists per game. They average 4.1 blocks per game and 5.0 steals per game defensively.
Andrew Henderson leads UC Riverside in scoring, with an average of 16.1 points per game, while shooting with 41.7% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line. Osiris Grady is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.5 per game, while Marqui Worthy Jr. adds a team-high 2.9 assists per game.
UC Riverside Highlanders @ Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Betting Trends: January 8, 2026
Why the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners will win
- UC Riverside has lost each of its last six away games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The home team has won four of UC Riverside’s last five games.
- UC Riverside has lost the first half in five of its last six road games.
Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win
- Cal State Bakersfield has lost seven of its last eight night games.
- UC Riverside has won each of its last four games against Cal State Bakersfield.
- Cal State Bakersfield has lost the first half in seven of its last eight night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UC Riverside’s last four road games have produced a total of 153+ points.
- Each of Cal State Bakersfield’s last four games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 153+ points.
UC Riverside vs Cal State Bakersfield Prediction
In this UC Riverside vs Cal State Bakersfield Prediction, Bakersfield is coming as -2.5 home favorites. Both teams have almost identical overall records this season with exactly 9 defeats each, but Bakersfield has been above average at home while Riverside has been struggling on the road. Bakersfield is 3-1 in its last 4 games and 3-0 against the spread, while Riverside is 2-6 in its last 8 games and 1-3 against the spread, so combined with the home court advantage, I like Bakersfield to win and cover the spread in this one.