Cal State Fullerton Titans vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/20/2023

Time: 10 p.m. ET

Venue: The Thunderdome, Santa Barbara, CA

Where to watch: ESPN+

DraftKings: UCSB -6

FanDuel: UCSB -5.5

BetMGM: UCSB -6.5

Caesars: UCSB -6

Cal State Fullerton: 16-12 (10-6 Big West)

UC Santa Barbara: 20-6 (11-4 Big West)

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Not very often that a Monday night is going to have some big-time games in the Big West. Maybe not between two ranked teams, but first place is very much up for grabs when the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos host the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Monday at the Thunderdome, which remains the best name for an arena outside of Mullett Arena.

The Gauchos who are a game back behind UC Irvine for first place in the Big West, is coming off two straight losses last week — including a loss to Irvine — but the latest was a 74-63 loss at UC Riverside on Saturday. Those slipups have allowed UCSB to fall as far as it has, and now their confidence level that the bettor should have going into the conference tournament is starting to take a hit.

Andre Kelly led the way with 22 points on 11 of 16 shooting and also grabbed eight rebounds, as UCSB shot 51 percent from the floor. The only problem is UCSB also shot just 3 of 12 from behind the 3-point line and went to the line just eight times. In what was an efficiently-played offensive game, the Gauchos just never recovered after a big-time second half from both teams.

Offense has ironically failed this group over the last two games, with just 59 and 63 points respectively. Then to give up at least 70 points in the last five games, defense has been a problem for UCSB, which has given up just 64 points all year long.

The good news for UCSB is that they split the season series with UC Irvine, so it’s not like any major head-to-head tiebreaker is going to hinder them from potentially playing catchup. But losing three of five and finishing with three home games and two road games shouldn’t have been a cause for trying to do catchup.

But don’t count out Cal State Fullerton with the little run they’re on. The Titans are 10-6 in conference play and 2.5 games back of UC Irvine. Plus, the Titans have won four in a row and are coming off an 83-62 win over Cal Poly. Two of those conference wins came against Hawaii and Riverside, but offset with a 3-point win over San Diego and that dominant victory over last-place Cal Poly.

Latrell Wrightsell Jr. had a game-high 23 points and made five 3-pointers to help push the Titans to shooting 53 percent from the floor and 13 of 25 from 3-point range. Not sure where this outburst came from, but Cal State Fullerton is putting on a show at the right time and should make this a very interesting game with first place very much in reach.

UCSB is a comfortable 6-point favorite here and if it weren’t for the fact that the Titans had those two impressive wins against Hawaii and Riverside, I wouldn’t feel so hesitant to take the Titans with the points. UCSB is good at home, but I have to think the points are a good play. UCSB 78, UCSF 75

Cal State Fullerton is 40-28 ATS in all games the last 3 seasons.

Cal State Fullerton is 11-4 ATS against conference opponents this season.

UC Santa Barbara is 33-27 ATS as a favorite the last 3 seasons.

PG: Jalen Harris

SG: Tory San Antonio

SF: Latrell Wrightsell Jr.

PF: Max Jones

C: Vincent Lee

PG: Ajay Mitchell

SG: Josh Pierre-Louis

SF: Ajare Sanni

PF: Andre Kelly

C: Miles Norris