| MATCHUP | UC San Diego Tritons | Cal Poly Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 11-2 | 5-9 |
| Where | Mott Athletics Center, San Luis Obispo, CA | |
| When | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | |
| Time | 10:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Cal Poly Mustangs Preview
Cal Poly Mustangs have a 5-9 record this season and are sitting in a tie for 6th place of the Big West Conference. They have a 2-3 home record and are coming off an 80-83 home loss against Idaho. Their previous three games were an 87-108 away loss against UCLA, an 80-83 home loss against Montana State and an 84-88 home loss against UC Riverside.
Offensively, Cal Poly averages 82.7 points per game, while allowing 87.4 points per game defensively. The Mustangs shoot with 43% from the field and grab 39.6 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.8 assists per game. They average 2.3 blocks per game and 6.3 steals per game defensively.
Hamad Mousa leads Cal Poly in scoring, with an average of 20.6 points per game, while shooting with 45.7% from the field and 85.0% from the free throw line. Hamad Mousa is also the team’s leading rebounder with 5.8 per game, while Peter Bandelj adds a team-high 3.6 assists per game.
UC San Diego Tritons Preview
UC San Diego Tritons have an 11-2 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place of the Big West Conference. They have a 3-1 away record and are coming off an 85-62 home win against Saint Thomas. Their previous three games were an 80-82 home loss against San Diego, a 57-67 away win against LMU and a 93-67 home win against Tulane.
Offensively, UC San Diego averages 82.8 points per game, while allowing 70.5 points per game defensively. The Tritons shoot with 50% from the field and grab 37.0 rebounds per game, while dishing out 16.2 assists per game. They average 2.3 blocks per game and 8.0 steals per game defensively.
Leo Beath leads UC San Diego in scoring, with an average of 17.9 points per game, while shooting with 54.1% from the field and 72% from the free throw line. Tom Beattie is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.6 per game, while also leading the team with 3.5 assists per game.
UC San Diego Tritons @ Cal Poly Mustangs Betting Trends: January 1, 2026
Why the Cal Poly Mustangs will win
- Cal Poly has won four of its last five night games against Conference opponents.
- Cal Poly has won the first half in each of its last three night games at Robert A. Mott Athletics Center.
Why the UC San Diego Tritons will win
- UC San Diego has won each of its last 16 games against Conference opponents.
- Cal Poly has lost each of its last 14 night games following a home loss.
- UC San Diego has won the first half in each of its last six road games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UC San Diego’s last 24 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 163 or fewer points.
- Each of Cal Poly’s last 11 home night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 162 or fewer points.
UC San Diego vs Cal Poly Prediction
In this UC San Diego vs Cal Poly Prediction, UC San Diego is coming as -8.5 road favorites. UC San Diego has been the better team this season, as they have more than twice wins as Cal Poly and have been almost perfect on the road, while Cal Poly has been below average at home and has been struggling lately, having lost its last four games. UC San Diego has also been very strong against the spread with am 8-2-1 record this season and have a dominating +12.3 point differential, so I expect them to win comfortably today. Take UC San Diego and lay the points on the road.