Cal Poly Mustangs vs California-San Diego Tritons NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/9/25
Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Mustangs and Tritons. The game is starting at 10:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Tritons at LionTree Arena in San Diego, CA. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Big West conference game currently have California-San Diego as the -15.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 157.5 points.
CAL POLY MUSTANGS VS CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO TRITONS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Cal Poly Mustangs +15.5
This game will be played at LionTree Arena at 10:00 ET on Thursday, January 9th.
WHY BET THE CAL POLY MUSTANGS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 81-67 in favor of the Mustangs.
- Not only will Cal Poly pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +15.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 157.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.
Will the Mustangs Defense Show Up in San Diego?
Cal Poly Mustangs Recent Game/Games
Cal Poly fell to 5-10 on the season after a 68-55 road loss to Hawaii on Sunday, January 5th. The Mustangs entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and did not cover the spread.
Cal Poly trailed 27-22 at halftime and allowed 41 points in the 2nd half while scoring 33. The game’s total points of 123 fell well below the O/U line of 153.5.
Cal Poly struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 55 points with a field goal percentage of 33.8% and an effective field goal percentage of 40%. Their three-point shooting was particularly problematic, hitting only 22.6% of their attempts (7/31), while they connected on 44.1% of their two-point shots (15/34).
Gytis Nemeiksa led the way with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting 46.2% overall and 50% from three (3/6). Owen Koonce and Tom Beattie each added 15 points, with Koonce perfect from deep (2/2) and Beattie shooting 66.7% from the field. Tanner Christensen contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 80% of his shots.
Cal Poly’s defense gave up 68 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 45% from the field. They allowed 16 two-point baskets on 30 attempts, a 53% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Cal Poly’s opponents hit 7 of 21 threes, shooting 33%. They also went 15/20 from the free-throw line, and Cal Poly gave up 8 offensive rebounds.
Will California-San Diego Live Up to Expectations at Home?
The Tritons improved to 11-2 this season with a dominant 90-51 win over Cal State Fullerton on Saturday. Entering the game as -12.5 favorites, they not only covered the spread but also pushed the total points over the 136.5 line.
California-San Diego took control early, leading 46-23 at halftime, and continued their strong play by outscoring Fullerton 44-28 in the second half.
California-San Diego put up 90 points in their latest game, shooting 52.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 61%. They were dominant inside, hitting 69% of their two-point attempts, while knocking down 36.7% from beyond the arc, finishing 11 of 30 from deep.
At the free-throw line, the Tritons were nearly automatic, converting 17 of 20 attempts for 85%. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones led the way with 24 points on 8 of 10 shooting, while Tyler McGhie added 23 points, hitting 4 of 9 from three-point range.
California-San Diego’s defense was on point, holding their opponent to just 51 points on 32% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team making only 13 of 36 attempts for 36%.
From beyond the arc, the Tritons gave up just 3 threes on 13 attempts, a 23% shooting performance. The opponent did capitalize at the free-throw line, hitting 16 of 17 for 94%. California-San Diego also allowed 11 offensive rebounds.