The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (11-3) welcome the Cal Poly Mustangs (4-9) to Thunderdome. The Gauchos look to extend their eight-game home winning streak, while the Mustangs attempt to snap their seven-game road losing streak. The game gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
Cal Poly Mustangs at UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Gauchos defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 76-66, while the Mustangs beat the Menlo Oaks 82-75.
Cal Poly dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.420 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.7. Menlo had marks of 0.153 and 20.0, respectively, for those same stats. The Gauchos, on the other hand, had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.585 vs. 0.405) and had a much better free throw rate (0.447 vs. 0.328). Jaquori McLaughlin had a good game for UC Santa Barbara, finishing with 17 points. Kuba Niziol, meanwhile played a pivotal role for Cal Poly with 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The Gauchos edged out the Mustangs in this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the last game, UC Santa Barbara won 75-53. UC Santa Barbara had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (39.4 vs. 18.9). Cal Poly, on the other hand, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (22-24; 91.7 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
UC Santa Barbara could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense faces off against one of the worst defenses in the nation. The Gauchos currently rank 45th in offensive efficiency, while Cal Poly ranks 302nd in defensive efficiency.
Cal Poly at UC Santa Barbara ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – UC Santa Barbara, ATS Winner – Cal Poly, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 85th in rebounds per game (40.1) while Cal Poly ranks 228th (33.7).
- The Gauchos rank 34th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Mustangs rank 93rd (2.9).
- The Gauchos average 15.4 assists per game, which ranks 70th in the NCAA. The Mustangs rank 179th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks second in steals allowed per game (3.9) while Cal Poly ranks 71st (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Gauchos’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 13.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Mustangs have scored an average of 64.4 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (1.6 above their season average).
