The CSUN Matadors (13-19, 7-9 BigWst) clash against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (21-9, 10-6 BigWst) in the Big West Conference Tourney at Honda Center. The Matadors opened as a 5-point underdog. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 146 points and it will air on ESPN 3 at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
CSUN Matadors vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Gauchos (8-point favorites) defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs, 92-82, while the Matadors (12.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the UC Irvine Anteaters, 86-74. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The UC Santa Barbara game finished 33 points over the projected point total of 141, while the CSUN game finished 16.5 points over the projected point total of 143.5.
The Gauchos held the Mustangs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 26.6) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.570 (above their season average of 0.511). CSUN, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.217 (above their season average of 0.206). UC Santa Barbara’s Ar’mond Davis had a good game, recording 13 points and 17 rebounds. Lamine Diane fueled CSUN with 33 points and 18 rebounds.
Of the Matadors’ 30 games that accepted bets, 16 have finished over the total. CSUN has a superb 20-8-2 record against the spread (ATS), despite being 13-19 straight up (SU).
Unlike CSUN, Gauchos games have finished under the O/U total 48.1 percent of the time. Moreover, UC Santa Barbara owns records of 21-9 SU and 15-12 ATS.
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 NCAA’s worst defenses. The Gauchos rank 41st in offensive efficiency, while CSUN ranks 324th in defensive efficiency. This game should be a showdown of conflicting tempos. The up-and-down Matadors rank 57th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Gauchos rank 324th.
CSUN vs. UC Santa Barbara Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UC Santa Barbara, ATS Winner – UC Santa Barbara, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (31.1) while CSUN ranks 267th (38.6).
- The Matadors rank 30th in blocks per game (4.5) while the Gauchos rank 116th (3.3).
- CSUN ranks 280th in three pointers attempted per game (18.9) while UC Santa Barbara ranks 284th (18.8).
- The Gauchos rank 57th in assists allowed per game (11.5) while the Matadors rank 237th (14.8).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks third in steals allowed per game (4.2) while CSUN ranks 109th (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, CSUN and UC Santa Barbara have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Matadors are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Gauchos are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Matadors have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.8 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
- The Gauchos’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 8.0 for the season.
