UC Santa Barbara vs UC San Diego Prediction 1/23/25 College Basketball Picks

The UCSB Gauchos are visiting the UC-San Diego Tritons on Thursday, January 23rd at the LionTree Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCSB Gauchos vs UC-San Diego Tritons Prediction. We will examine:

The UC-San Diego Tritons’ recent form and player performance

The UCSB Gauchos’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-San Diego Tritons

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UCSB Gauchos

Recent betting trends in games played between UCSB Gauchosand UC-San Diego Tritons

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UCSB Gauchos vs UC-San Diego Tritons game

UC-San Diego Tritons Preview

The UC-San Diego Tritons have a 15-4 record this season and are sitting in second place in the Big West. UC San Diego is coming off an 81-85 loss to UC-Irvine. The Tritons are 12-5 against the spread, and 8-9 in over/under, while having a 6-2 home record.

Offensively, UC San Diego is averaging 80.3 points per game, which ranks 61st in the nation. Defensively, they allow 62.8 points per game, which is the 15th-best nationally. The Tritons shoot 45.9% from the field (129th), and 34.3% from beyond the arc (164th). The Tritons shoot 75.5% from the free-throw line (61st) and are grabbing 34.6 rebounds per game (259th).

Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones leads UC-San Diego in scoring this season, with 18.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while Tyler McGhie adds 17.2 points and 3.9 rebounds.

UCSB Gauchos Preview

The UCSB Gauchos have a 12-6 record this season and are sitting in the 4th place in the Big West. The Gauchos are coming off a 60-64 loss to UC-Davis. The Gauchos are 7-9 against the spread, and 4-12 in over/under while having a 4-3 road record.

Offensively, UCSB is averaging 74.1 points per game, which ranks 204th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65 points per game (33rd). The Gauchos shoot 47.4% from the field (66th) and 38.5% from beyond the arc (24th). The Gauchos shoot 73.1% from the free-throw line (135th) and are grabbing 36.1 rebounds per game (164th). 

Kenny Pohto leads UCSB in scoring this season, with an average of 12.9 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds, while Stephan Swenson adds 12.5 points. 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 4.4 assists.

Why the UC San Diego Tritons will win

• UC San Diego has won eight of its last nine night games.
• UC San Diego has won the first half in four of its last five games against UC Santa Barbara.

Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win

• UC Santa Barbara has won five of its last six games.
• The road team has won the first half in four of the last five games between UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego.

Total Points Facts

• Five of UC Santa Barbara’s last six road games have produced a total of 131 or fewer points.
• Five of UC San Diego’s last six games at LionTree Arena have produced a total of 141+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC San Diego ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (10.8).
• UC San Diego ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.7).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.1).
• UC Santa Barbara ranks T22nd among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (10.3).

UCSB Gauchos vs UC-San Diego Tritons Head-to-Head

UC San Diego has won their last three meetings against UCSB, having covered the spread in all three. Over is 4-1 in their last 5 meetings, and in their previous meeting earlier this season, UC-San Diego won 84-76 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.

UCSB Gauchos vs UC-San Diego Tritons Prediction

In this UCSB Gauchos vs UC-San Diego Tritons Prediction, UC-San Diego is coming as a -11.5 home favorites. UC-San Diego is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, and are better both offensively and defensively. The Tritons are 6-3 against the spread in their last 9 games, while the Gauchos have failed to cover in three straight games, so I’m expecting the hosts to get the job done. Take the UC San Diego Tritons and lay the points at home.