UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Long Beach State Beach Picks and Predictions January 24th 2026

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UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Long Beach State Beach Betting Preview

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos look to extend their momentum, while the Long Beach State Beach aim to defend Walter Pyramid in this Big West clash.

Line Movement and Odds

UC Santa Barbara enters as the favorite, but Long Beach State’s strong home record makes this line worth monitoring. Current market:

  • UC Santa Barbara Spread: -4.5 (-110)
  • Long Beach State Spread: +4.5 (-110)
  • UC Santa Barbara MoneyLine: -200
  • Long Beach State MoneyLine: +165
  • Total: 144.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

UC Santa Barbara Outlook

The Gauchos average 77.8 points per game, with Miro Little, Zion Sensley, and Aidan Mahaney leading the offense. Little’s 12 points and 11 assists vs Cal Poly highlighted his consistency, while Sensley’s perimeter shooting has been key. UC Santa Barbara’s efficiency (48.6% FG; 56.8% effective FG, 28th nationally; 38.8% three-point FG, 30th nationally; 12-7 overall record; 3-5 road record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to score efficiently makes them a dangerous favorite.

Long Beach State Outlook

The Beach average 74.2 points per game, with Gavin Sykes, Petar Majstorovic, and Rob Diaz III driving production. Majstorovic’s 22 points vs UC Riverside highlighted his dominance, while Sykes’ 19 points per game showcase his impact. Long Beach State’s efficiency (52.9% two-point FG; 7-3 home record; 8-12 overall record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to dominate at Walter Pyramid makes them tough at home.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on shooting accuracy and pace. UC Santa Barbara thrives on balanced scoring and offensive depth, while Long Beach State must rely on Sykes’ firepower and Majstorovic’s rebounding to tilt the game. Execution in the final minutes will likely decide the margin.

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Injuries / Availability

UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos report no fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday’s contest.

Long Beach State: The Beach are expected to have their full rotation available.

Environment

Walter Pyramid has been a reliable venue for Long Beach State, where they’ve gone 7-3 this season. UC Santa Barbara enters with confidence from strong offensive performances, making this a clash of home strength vs road-tested resilience.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: UC Santa Barbara 78, Long Beach State 72

  • UC Santa Barbara -4.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive efficiency and balanced scoring suggest they can cover the spread.
  • Over 144.5 → Total play. Both teams’ scoring profiles point toward a combined score above the line.

UC Santa Barbara’s depth and shooting rhythm should carry them to victory, while Long Beach State’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a moderately high-scoring contest with totals surpassing the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Big West games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers spotlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard highlights who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like UC Santa Barbara vs Long Beach State, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.