UC Riverside vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction 2/26/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a UC Riverside vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction for this college basketball game on Thursday, February 26th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this college basketball matchup.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Preview

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos have a 17-11 overall record and a 10-7 record in the Big West. They are coming off a 78-75 road loss against Hawaii and their previous three games were an 85-83 home loss against Cal State Northridge, an 89-79 road loss against Cal Poly and a 76-68 road win against UC Riverside.

Offensively, UC Santa Barbara averages 79.2 points per game, while allowing 73.6 points per game defensively. The Gauchos shoot with 47% from the field and grab 35 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.8 assists per game. They average 2.3 blocks per game and 6.8 steals per game defensively.

Aidan Mahaney leads UC Santa Barbara in scoring, with an average of 15.2 points per game, while shooting with 44.1% from the field and 83.1% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 2.9 assists. Zion Sensley is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.6 per game.

UC Riverside Highlanders Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders have a 9-20 overall record and a 4-13 record in the Big West. They are coming off a 78-73 home loss against UC Davis and their previous three games were a 93-65 home win against Cal State Bakersfield, a 72-66 road loss against UC San Diego and a 76-68 home loss against UC Santa Barbara.

Offensively, UC Riverside averages 72.6 points per game, while allowing 77.4 points per game defensively. The Highlanders shoot with 44% from the field and grab 34.9 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.7 assists per game. They average 4.2 blocks per game and 5.3 steals per game defensively.

Andrew Henderson leads UC Riverside in scoring, with an average of 17.9 points per game, while shooting with 41.3% from the field and 80.2% from the free throw line. B. Kolly is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.6 per game. Marqui Worthy Jr. leads the team in assists with 2.9 per game.

UC Riverside Highlanders @ UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Trends: February 26, 2026

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Riverside has lost each of its last nine road games.
• UC Santa Barbara has won each of its last nine home games after coming off overtime.
• UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in 17 of its last 18 games at The Thunderdome.

Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win

• UC Santa Barbara has lost each of its last three games.
• UC Riverside has won the first half in each of its last six night games against UC Santa Barbara.

UC Riverside vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction        

In this UC Riverside vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction, UC Santa Barbara is coming as -10.5 home favorites. UC Santa Barbara has been the better team this season but has been struggling lately with three straight defeats. Riverside has also been in terrible form lately with a 2-8 record in its last 10 games and has been weaker both on the offensive and the defensive end, while having a -4.8 point differential this season. Take the better team to get the job done at home, so take UC Santa Barbara and lay the points.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: UC Santa Barbara -10.5