UC Santa Barbara vs CSU Northridge Prediction 3/1/25 College Basketball Picks

The UCSB Gauchos are visiting the Cal State Northridge Matadors on Saturday, March 1st at the Premier America Credit Union Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors Prediction. We will examine:

The Cal State Northridge Matadors recent form and player performance

The UCSB Gauchos recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cal State Northridge Matadors

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCSB Gauchos

Recent betting trends in games played between UCSB Gauchos and Cal State Northridge Matadors

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors game

Cal State Northridge Matadors Preview

The Cal State Northridge Matadors have a 20-8 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the Big West. The Matadors are coming off a 71-77 loss by UC San Diego. The Matadors are 14-12 against the spread, and 13-13 in over/under, while having an 8-3 home record.

Offensively, Cal State Northridge is averaging 80.1 points per game, which ranks 43rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.3 points per game (165th). The Matadors shoot with 46.8% from the field (80th), and with 34.2% from beyond the arc (169th). The Matadors shoot with 72% from the free-throw line (184th), and are grabbing 40.5 rebounds per game, which is the 11th-best nationally.

Marcus Adams leads Cal State Northridge in scoring this season, with an average of 16.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Scotty Washington adds 14.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 

UCSB Gauchos Preview

The UCSB Gauchos have a 19-10 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place of the Big West. The Gauchos are coming off a 96-77 win over Cal Poly. The Gauchos are 12-15 against the spread, and 12-15 in over/under, while having a 7-6 road record.

Offensively, UCSB is averaging 74.6 points per game, which ranks 160th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 66.7 points per game (44th). The Gauchos shoot with 47.4% from the field (48th), and with 39.2% from beyond the arc, which is the 8th-best in the nation. The Gauchos shoot with 75.7% from the free-throw line (59th), and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game (213th). 

Stephan Swenson leads UCSB in scoring this season, with an average of 12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and a team-high 4.4 assists, while Kenny Pohto adds 12.4 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Cal State Northridge Matadors will win

• Cal State Northridge has won each of its last 11 day games.
• Cal State Northridge has won the first half in four of its last five day games against the Big West Conference at Premier America Credit Union Arena.

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Santa Barbara has won each of its last five day games against Cal State Northridge.
• Cal State Northridge has lost five of its last six day games following a home loss.
• Cal State Northridge has lost the first half in each of its last four games against the Big West Conference.

Matchup/League Facts

• Cal State Northridge ranks 359th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (17.8).
• Cal State Northridge ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (56.3%).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks T1st among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.9).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (39.2%).

UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors Prediction

Cal State Northridge is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings against UCSB, and are 4-1 against the spread. Over is 5-0 in their last 5 meetings and in their most recent meeting earlier this season, Cal State Northridge won 78-71 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total. 

In this UCSB Gauchos vs Cal State Northridge Matadors Prediction, Cal State Northridge is coming as -5.5 home favorites. Both teams have almost identical records, but Cal State Northridge has been very good at home, while UCSB is mediocre on the road. Both teams are coming in excellent form, as they are 7-1 and 6-2 in their last 8 games, but have been playing some higher-scoring games lately, going for 10-5 to the over in their last 15 games combined. Their previous meeting this season was also a high-scoring one, so I expect a lot of points in this game. Take the over the point total.