Updated March 14, 2026
The Western Athletic Conference tournament brings together two familiar opponents as California Baptist faces Utah Valley on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Both programs enter this contest with strong seasons and plenty on the line, with the winner securing the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Which team will that be? Continue reading to get my Cal Baptist vs Utah Valley prediction for Saturday night.
One of the biggest themes entering this contest is the contrast in offensive styles. Utah Valley runs one of the most efficient offenses in the conference. The Wolverines shoot around 50% from the field and rank among the national leaders in assists per game, showing a clear emphasis on sharing the ball and generating high-quality looks.
California Baptist counters with a balanced attack built around its star guard, Dominique Daniels Jr., and strong work on the boards. The Lancers average more than 40 rebounds per game and rely on physical play inside to create extra scoring chances.
There is also an interesting motivational storyline going into this contest. Utah Valley decided to leave the WAC after this season, which prompted a legal battle just this past week and nearly had the Wolverines removed from the conference tournament. In their final WAC game, they will want to go out on a high note, while Cal Baptist wants to deny them the league title.
Utah Valley Wolverines
California Baptist Lancers
Stat | California Baptist | Utah Valley |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 73.3 | 80.8 |
Points allowed per game | 67.8 | 68.6 |
Team Field Goal % | 43% | 50% |
Rebounds Per Game | 40.1 | 36.8 |
Assists Per Game | 10.4 | 18.7 |
These teams have proven they can play close games against each other, but Utah Valley’s offensive efficiency gives it a clear edge entering this contest. The Wolverines shoot far better from the field and generate nearly twice as many assists per game, which usually translates into higher percentage scoring opportunities. Look for Utah Valley to make a grand exit from the WAC by winning and covering the number to claim the conference title.
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