UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs California-San Diego Tritons NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/23/25

Betting on today’s Gauchos and Tritons game? Catch the action at LionTree Arena in San Diego, CA, as the Tritons hosts this showdown at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. This Big West conference matchup has an over/under of 136.5 points, and California-San Diego is favored to win by -10.5 at home vs. UC Santa Barbara.

UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS VS CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO TRITONS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos +10.5

This game will be played at LionTree Arena at 10:00 ET on Thursday, January 23rd.

WHY BET THE UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 81-67 in favor of the Gauchos.
• Not only will UC Santa Barbara pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +10.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 136.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Will the Gauchos Defense Show Up on the Road?

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Recent Game/Games

The Gauchos fell to 10-6 on the season after a 64-60 home loss to UC Davis on Saturday. Santa Barbara, who were -8.5 point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 29-17 at halftime, the Gauchos put up 43 points in the 2nd half while allowing 35. Despite the late push, they couldn’t complete the comeback. The game’s total points (124) fell short of the 135.5 O/U line.

In their last game, UC Santa Barbara struggled offensively, shooting just 37.3% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 45.1%. They hit 38.1% of their three-point attempts, connecting on 8 of 21 shots from beyond the arc, while going 11 of 30 on two-point attempts (36.7%).

Ty Johnson was a bright spot, scoring 35 points on 12 of 23 shooting, including 2 of 5 from three-point range. Colin Smith added 14 points, hitting 4 of 7 from deep, and Kenny Pohto contributed 17 points and 6 rebounds. The Gauchos also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists in the game.

UC Santa Barbara’s defense held their opponent to 64 points on 37% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts, with the other team making just 11 of 30 shots for 36%.

From beyond the arc, the opposing team hit 8 of 21 threes, shooting 38%. UC Santa Barbara sent them to the line 19 times, where they made 14 free throws for 73%. The Gauchos also gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Do the Tritons Stand a Chance at Home?

California-San Diego Tritons Recent Game/Games

The Tritons are now 13-4 after an 85-81 loss to UC Riverside on Saturday. They were -9.5 favorites going into the game but failed to cover the spread.

San Diego trailed 44-35 at halftime but outscored Riverside 46-41 in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 166 exceeded the O/U line of 140.5.

California-San Diego put up 81 points in their last game, shooting 40% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting just 6 of 28 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.6%, but they excelled at the free-throw line, making 23 of 28 shots for 82.1%.

Barrington Hargress led the way with 40 points, shooting 63.6% overall and 62.5% from deep, hitting 5 of 8 threes. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones added 32 points and 7 rebounds, while Joel Armotrading was perfect from the field, going 5 for 5 and grabbing 14 boards.

California-San Diego’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 85 points on 50% shooting. They allowed 62% shooting from two-point range, with the opposing team hitting 20 of 32 attempts.

From beyond the arc, the Tritons gave up 10 threes on 27 attempts, a 37% clip. They also sent the other team to the line 22 times, where they made 15 free throws. California-San Diego allowed 15 offensive rebounds.