The Cal State Fullerton Titans (11-7, 4-2 BigWst) look to lengthen their six-game home winning streak in a matchup against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (14-5, 3-2 BigWst) at Titan Gym. The game is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 153 points with UC Santa Barbara set as a 2.5-point favorite.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Cal State Fullerton Titans Betting Prediction
In the Gauchos’ last outing, they defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters, 70-58. The Gauchos had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.327 (above their season average of 0.215) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.2 (above their season average of 29.1). Jalen Canty fueled UC Santa Barbara with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Titans fell to the Long Beach State 49ers in their last contest, 81-73. Long Beach State’s 45.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Cal State Fullerton, who had a rate of 30.8. The 49ers’ mark was above their season average of 32.3. With 16 points on 7-for-18 shooting, Khalil Ahmad was Cal State Fullerton’s leading scorer.
Second-chance opportunities could be scarce for Cal State Fullerton in this meeting. The Titans are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 185th in offensive rebounding percentage at 29.4 percent. Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara ranks 68th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.2 percent.
UC Santa Barbara comes into the game with records of 14-5 straight up (SU) and 12-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Gauchos are involved, as 10 of their 16 games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Cal State Fullerton owns records of 11-7 SU and 9-5 ATS. Unlike UC Santa Barbara, Titans games have typically gone under the projected point total (64.3 percent).
Ahmad has averaged 16.4 points over the last five games for Cal State Fullerton.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Max Heidegger scored a game-high 24 points in the first matchup, in which the Gauchos defeated the Titans 83-64, covering as 6-point favorites. He also recorded five assists. The game finished with a total of 147 points, which was just 3.5 points below the projected point total of 150.5 points. The Gauchos had a much better turnover percentage (11.0 vs. 21.4) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.0 vs. 25.9).
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs. Cal State Fullerton Titans ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cal State Fullerton, ATS Winner – Cal State Fullerton, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
UC Santa Barbara is 8-2 ATS on the road with 9 overs and 1 under.
At home, Cal State Fullerton is 3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
UC Santa Barbara ranks 36th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Cal State Fullerton ranks 150th (4.2).
The Gauchos rank 175th in three pointers attempted per game (20.9) while the Titans rank 272nd (16.3).
UC Santa Barbara ranks 63rd in assists per game (15.4) while Cal State Fullerton ranks 157th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
The Gauchos rank first in steals allowed per game (3.9) while the Titans rank 83rd (6.0).
UC Santa Barbara averages 37.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 86th in the NCAA. Cal State Fullerton ranks 99th in rebounds allowed per game (33.7).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, UC Santa Barbara is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Cal State Fullerton is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Gauchos’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 7.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Titans have scored an average of 78.0 points per game (3.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 79.0 points per game (6.1 above their season average).
