UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Missouri State Bears NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

Planning on watching today’s Gauchos and Bears game? Catch the action at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, MO, as the Bears hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 137 points, with Missouri State being favored by -2.5 over UC Santa Barbara.

UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS VS MISSOURI STATE BEARS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Missouri State Bears -2.5

This game will be played at Great Southern Bank Arena at 2:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.

WHY BET THE MISSOURI STATE BEARS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-70 in favor of the Bears.
• Not only will Missouri State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 137 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.

Will the UC Santa Barbara Defense Show Up on the Road?

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Recent Game/Games

UC Santa Barbara fell to 6-4 on the season after a narrow 60-58 road loss to Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, December 18th. The Gauchos entered the game as +2 point underdogs and the final score resulted in an ATS push. The combined points of 118 fell well short of the O/U line of 141.5.

After trailing 33-30 at halftime, UCSB allowed just 27 points in the 2nd half while scoring 28 points of their own, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

In their last game, UC Santa Barbara’s offense put up 58 points, shooting 43.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, with a strong performance from beyond the arc, hitting 46.2% (6/13) of their threes.

Caleb Stone-Carrawell and Stephan Swenson each contributed 15 points, with Swenson knocking down 3 of 5 from deep. The Gauchos managed just 6 offensive rebounds and 10 assists, while hitting both of their free throw attempts.

Even though UC Santa Barbara allowed 60 points, they couldn’t capitalize on the defensive end, as their opponents shot 47% from the field, connecting on 26 of 55 attempts. The Gauchos struggled to contain two-point shots, where the opposition hit 21 of 36 for 58%.

From beyond the arc, UC Santa Barbara held their opponents to 5 of 19 shooting, or 26%. The Gauchos sent them to the free-throw line just 4 times, where they made 3 for 75%. UC Santa Barbara limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 5.

Can the Bears Lock in a Home Win?

Missouri State’s season record dropped to 4-5 after a 91-78 road loss to Washington State on Saturday. The Bears entered the game as +11.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 169, surpassing the O/U line of 140.5.

Missouri State trailed 34-27 at halftime but put up 51 points in the 2nd half. However, they allowed 57 points in the 2nd half, which ultimately cost them the game.

Missouri State’s offense put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.2%. They hit 38.5% from beyond the arc, connecting on 10 of 26 attempts, while struggling at the free-throw line, making just 6 of 15 shots for 40%.

The Bears grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and dished out 16 assists. Dane Erikstrup and Isaiah Watts each scored 20 points, with Erikstrup shooting 85.7% overall and Watts hitting 4 of 7 from three-point range. LeJuan Watts was perfect from the field, going 7 for 7.

Missouri State’s defense struggled in their last game, allowing 91 points on 62% shooting from the field. The Bears gave up 23 two-point baskets on 30 attempts, a 76% conversion rate.

From beyond the arc, opponents hit 9 of 21 threes, shooting 42%. Missouri State also sent them to the line 28 times, where they made 18 free throws. The Bears allowed 8 offensive rebounds.