Texas Arlington at UC Santa Barbara 11/29/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The struggling UT Arlington Mustangs will hope to snap a four-game losing streak when they go on the road to The Thunderdome To take on UCSB Gauchos. UT Arlington’s only win this season has come over a non-division one program and they’ve since lost their last four games. The Mustangs were beaten 80-61 on the road to Utah State their last time out dropping to 1-5 on the year. UCSB has won back-to-back games beating both Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Chicago State by 31 points, improving to 3-1 on the year.

UT Arlington is one of the worst offenses in the country averaging just 63.2 points per game, ranking 313th in scoring offense. They’ve especially struggled from beyond the arc making just over 4 threes (351st in the nation) and shooting just 26.8% from beyond the arc. Senior David Azore has had to do everything offensively, he’s averaging a team-high 13.2 points per game but shooting just 36.1% from the field.

Unfortunately, the UT Arlington defense hasn’t fared much better allowing 75.8 points per game ranking 296th in the nation in scoring defense. They have defended the paint holding opponents to just 39.4% from the field but have allowed 9.7 threes per game, the 334th most in college basketball this season. UT Arlington is 342nd in offensive rebounding percentage, allowing over 12 per game, and is 208th in KenPom adjusted defense.

UCSB has been one of the best offenses in college basketball behind an up-tempo, and efficient attack. The Gauchos are averaging 87.8 points per game ranking 8th in the country in scoring offense and are shooting 53.3% from the field (5th in the nation) and 38.7% from beyond the arc (45th in the nation). Senior Amadou Sow has led the way with 20.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while the Gauchos are 86th in KenPom adjusted offense.

UCSB has also been a great team on the defensive end, albeit against one of the easier schedules in the country allowing 61.5 points per game ranking 61st in the scoring defense. Opponents have shot just 34.4% from the field and 22.9% from beyond the arc, both fifth in the nation and are 104th in KenPom adjusted defense.