The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (12-4, 1-0 BigWst) and the Long Beach State Beach (5-12, 0-1 BigWst) face off at Thunderdome. The Gauchos look to extend their six-game winning streak. Action begins at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11, 2020.
Long Beach State Beach at UC Santa Barbara Gauchos ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Gauchos had no trouble getting past the Cal Poly Mustangs, 63-45, while the Beach lost big to the CSUN Matadors, 95-77.
The Gauchos, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.532, had a superb mark of 0.589, while the Mustangs had a turnover percentage of 20.6 (above the 16.1 mark opponents have averaged against UC Santa Barbara this season). Long Beach State, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 14.5 (better than their season average of 21.1). JaQuori McLaughlin played well for UC Santa Barbara, putting up 15 points. Meanwhile, Michael Carter III fueled Long Beach State with 19 points.
This series was highly competitive last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Beach won the last game 69-64. Long Beach State had a better turnover percentage (15.1 vs. 17.9). UC Santa Barbara, on the other hand, did an excellent job of making free throws (11-15; 73.3 percent). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
The high-octane offense of UC Santa Barbara (12th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 113.6) will battle against the bottom-tier defense of Long Beach State (322nd in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 106.7). The Gauchos should have the edge on that side of the ball. It will also be a matchup of conflicting styles as the aggressively-paced Beach rank 42nd in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Gauchos rank 344th.
Long Beach State vs. UC Santa Barbara Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – UC Santa Barbara, ATS Winner – UC Santa Barbara, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UC Santa Barbara ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (29.1) while Long Beach State ranks 217th (38.4).
- The Gauchos rank 77th in three pointers allowed per game (20.2) while the Beach rank 234th (25.6).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Long Beach State ranks 72nd (3.1).
- The Gauchos rank 16th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Beach rank 197th (9.2).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 61st in assists allowed per game (11.3) while Long Beach State ranks 238th (17.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Beach’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 10.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gauchos have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 61.2 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
