Long Beach State Beach vs Bakersfield Roadrunners NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25
Betting on today’s Beach and Roadrunners game? Catch the action at Icardo Center in Bakersfield, CA, as the Roadrunners hosts this showdown at 9:30 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Big West conference game currently have Bakersfield as the -4.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 133.5 points.
LONG BEACH STATE BEACH VS BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Long Beach State Beach +4.5
This game will be played at Icardo Center at 9:30 ET on Saturday, January 4th.
WHY BET THE LONG BEACH STATE BEACH:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Roadrunners.
- Even though we have Bakersfield winning straight-up, we like Long Beach State at +4.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 133.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will Long Beach State Make it Happen on the Road?
Long Beach State Beach Recent Game/Games
Long Beach State’s season continued to struggle as they fell to 4-9 after a 76-60 home loss to UC Riverside on Thursday. The Beach entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
After trailing 38-32 at halftime, Long Beach State scored just 28 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38. The game’s total points of 136 fell just under the O/U line of 138.
Long Beach State managed just 60 points in their last game, shooting 43.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 45.3%. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 of 11 attempts for 27.3%, but were strong at the free-throw line, connecting on 11 of 13 attempts for 84.6%.
Isaiah Moses led the way with 22 points on 10 of 16 shooting, while Nate Pickens added 19 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field. Devin Askew contributed 17 points and 5 assists, hitting 7 of his 10 shots.
Long Beach State’s defense gave up 76 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 20 two-point baskets on 42 attempts, a 47% success rate.
From beyond the arc, Long Beach State held their opponents to 3 made threes on 11 attempts, a 27% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 11 shots for 84%. Long Beach State limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 5.
Does Bakersfield Have What it Takes at Home?
Bakersfield improved to 5-8 on the season with a 75-64 home win over UC Davis on Thursday. The Roadrunners, who were -1.5 favorites, covered the spread and the game’s total points of 139 went over the 135.5 O/U line.
After leading 30-27 at halftime, Bakersfield pulled away by scoring 45 points in the 2nd half while holding UC Davis to 37 points.
Despite shooting just 36.7% from the field, the Roadrunners managed to put up 75 points in their last game, thanks in part to hitting 26 of 33 free throws (78.8%). Their effective field goal percentage was 40%, and they shot 38.5% from three-point range, connecting on 5 of 13 attempts.
Ty Johnson led the way with 26 points, shooting 8 of 22, while CJ Hardy added 20 points and 5 assists, hitting both of his three-point attempts. Corey Stephenson contributed 13 rebounds, and the Roadrunners grabbed 19 offensive boards as a team, finishing with just 8 assists.
Bakersfield’s defense held their opponent to 64 points on 36% shooting from the field, including 36% from two-point range (17/47). They also limited three-point damage, with the opposition hitting 5 of 13 attempts, a 38% clip.
The Roadrunners sent their opponent to the line 33 times, where they converted 26 free throws (78%). Bakersfield also gave up 19 offensive rebounds in the game.