Bakersfield Roadrunners vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Pick – 3/12/2025

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners are set to face the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the opening round of the Big West Conference Tournament. This matchup promises to be an intriguing contest, especially for those interested in the betting landscape.

Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Game Preview

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos concluded their regular season with a 19-12 overall record and an 11-9 mark in Big West play. They are aiming to rebound after consecutive losses to UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge. The Gauchos have demonstrated offensive efficiency, averaging 75.1 points per game, shooting 47.4% from the field, and an impressive 39.4% from beyond the arc, ranking sixth nationally in three-point shooting percentage. Defensively, they allow 68.8 points per game, holding opponents to 42.6% shooting and 31.4% from three-point range. Key contributors include:

• Stephan Swenson: 13 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
• Kenny Pohto: 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners enter the tournament with a 14-18 overall record and an 8-12 conference record. They are coming off a 76-64 victory over Hawaii. Offensively, the Roadrunners average 74 points per game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range, ranking 18th nationally in the latter category. Defensively, they allow 73.7 points per game. Notable players include:

• Jemel Jones: 19.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
• Corey Stephenson: 11.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Betting Insights

According to recent betting data, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are favored by 4.5 points over the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners. The Gauchos have a 12-17 record against the spread (ATS) this season, while the Roadrunners are 11-18-1 ATS. The over/under for this game is set at 143.5 points. Notably, UC Santa Barbara has dominated recent matchups, winning the last 11 meetings between these teams, including two victories this season by margins of 12 and six points, respectively.

Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Prediction

Considering the Gauchos' strong offensive efficiency, particularly their three-point shooting, and their recent dominance in head-to-head matchups, they are well-positioned to secure a victory in this game. The Roadrunners' defensive vulnerabilities, especially against efficient shooting teams, further tilt the advantage toward UC Santa Barbara. Therefore, the prediction is that the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win and cover the spread in this matchup.

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