CS Bakersfield vs UC Santa Barbara Picks and Prediction – 1/10/2025

On Thursday, the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (8-8) face off against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (9-5) at the Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, California. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

UC Santa Barbara comes into this matchup on a two-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games. In a closely contested match, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos edged out Hawaii with a 64-61 victory, largely thanks to Stephan Swenson's impressive performance, as he scored 21 points. Heading into the season, Kenny Pohto has been a standout player for the Gauchos, leading the team in scoring with an average of 12.4 points per game. Not far behind, Deuce Turner has also contributed significantly, being the team's second-highest scorer with an average of 12.1 points this season. Additionally, Pohto dominates the boards, leading UC Santa Barbara in rebounds with an average of 7.6 per game. When it comes to playmaking, Stephan Swenson is at the forefront, dishing out an average of 4.2 assists per game. Over the past five outings, the Gauchos have maintained an average scoring of 70 points and are now aiming to secure their third consecutive win as they prepare for a home conference clash against Cal State Bakersfield. Overall, the team boasts an average of 75.4 points per game this season.

Cal State Bakersfield enters this game on a two-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games. In a commanding 80-65 victory against Long Beach State, Jemel Jones delivered an impressive performance by scoring 25 points for the Roadrunners. Jones has consistently been the top scorer for Cal State Bakersfield this season, maintaining an average of 16.4 points per game. Following him is Corey Stephenson, who stands as the second-highest scorer on the team, with an average of 12.8 points per game. Stephenson has also been instrumental on the boards, leading the team with an average of 6.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, CJ Hardy has proven to be a key playmaker for the Roadrunners, topping the assists chart with an average of 2.3 per game. In their recent form, Cal State Bakersfield has managed to average 70.8 points over the past five games. As they prepare for an away game in Santa Barbara, the team is eager to extend their winning streak. On a larger scale, the Roadrunners boast an overall scoring average of 74.4 points per game this season.

The offensive strategies of both teams share a lot of similarities, but there are notable distinctions between them as well. Cal State Bakersfield has struggled with away games, losing six out of their last seven road matchups. In contrast, UC Santa Barbara has been strong at home, securing victories in six of their last eight games. In the conference standings, the two teams are nearly tied, separated by just half a game, making this upcoming game a crucial opportunity for both to assert their dominance and make a significant impact. Final Score Prediction, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos win and cover, 71-63.