California Baptist (12-12) vs Utah Tech (6-18)
February 15, 2025 at 09:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: California Baptist -12.5 — Over/Under: 143.5
The Utah Tech Trailblazers and the California Baptist Lancers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Dale E and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center. Here’s a Utah Tech vs Cal Baptist prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Utah Tech vs Cal Baptist pick. We will examine:
The Utah Tech Trailblazers’ recent form and player performance
The California Baptist Lancers’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Utah Tech Trailblazers
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the California Baptist Lancers
Recent betting trends in games played between Utah Tech and Cal Baptist
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Utah Tech vs Cal Baptist game
Utah Tech Trailblazers Betting Preview
Utah Tech had a good run going in December/January, but aside from that it’s been a struggle. The Trailblazers went just 2-10 over their first dozen games, losing to Oregon State, New Mexico State, Wyoming, Utah, Cal State Northridge, Montana, Portland State, Boise State, Utah State and Weber State. A 4-1 run came next featuring a lone loss to FIU among wins over Whittier, South Dakota, Texas Arlington, and Tarleton State. Since then it’s been seven straight losses however, as Utah Tech has fallen to Seattle U, Utah Valley, Grand Canyon, Tarleton State, Texas Arlington, Abilene Christian, and Southern Utah. That gives Utah Tech a 6-18 overall record through the first 24 games of the season so far.
In their matchup with Southern Utah on Thursday, Utah Tech kicked things off with a 42-37 deficit in the first half. The Trailblazers closed on a 37-34 advantage but fell just short in a 76-74 road loss. Madiba Owona led the team with 22 points and four rebounds alongside two blocks. Beon Riley added 17 points with four rebounds in 23 minutes, while Noa Gonsalves had 13 points, seven boards and three assists in 36 minutes on the floor.
Cal Baptist Lancers Betting Preview
Over on the Cal Baptist side, they’ve had a choppy year so far and are currently sitting at the .500 mark overall. The Lancers went 5-3 in their first eight outings with losses to UC Riverside, Northern Colorado, and SMU in that time. After losses to UCF, San Diego State and Middle Tennessee, Cal Baptist hit a 3-1 run with wins over Fresno State, Jackson State, and Seattle U alongside a loss to UC Irvine. It’s been a 4-5 run since then with wins over Abilene Christian, Southern Utah, Abilene Christian again, and Grand Canyon among losses to Utah Valley, Tarleton State, Utah Valley again, Southern Utah, and Texas Arlington in that time. Cal Baptist has posted a 12-12 mark through their first 24 games so far.
Matched up against Texas Arlington in their latest outing, the Lancers were up 39-27 by the break. Cal Baptist was outpaced 40-28 the rest of the way, however, and ended up falling in overtime 82-79. Javonte Johnson led the team in scoring with 15 points and five rebounds off the bench. Dominique Daniels added 12 points with five assists, and AJ Braun had 12 points with three rebounds in 19 minutes during the losing effort.
Why the California Baptist Lancers will win
- Utah Tech has lost each of its last 11 Saturday road games against Conference opponents.
- California Baptist has won each of its last five Saturday home games.
- California Baptist has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Utah Tech Trailblazers will win
- California Baptist has lost four of its last five night games against the Western Athletic Conference at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.
- Utah Tech has won three of its last four night games at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center.
- California Baptist has lost the first half in 11 of its last 14 night games against Conference opponents.
Utah Tech vs Cal Baptist Prediction
I’ll stick with the Lancers. Cal Baptist is coming off a tough loss to a middling Texas Arlington team. In that one, the Lancers had a 48-34 rebounding edge but shot a tepid 41.2 percent from the field while giving up 50.9 percent on the other side. The 14 turnovers for 23 Texas Arlington points didn’t help matters either. Cal Baptist has scored 76 or more points in four of the five games during this 3-2 run, though. Considering Utah Tech has given up 73 or more in three straight games (all losses), the Lancers should be able to post a nice total on Saturday as well.