Time:<\/strong> 10:00 PM ET \/ 7:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> ESPN+
Location:<\/strong> Premier America Credit Union Arena, Northridge, CA
Spread:<\/strong> UC San Diego -5.5 | Total: 149.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UC San Diego vs Cal State Northridge Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Big West has taken a massive leap in recent years, and a lot of that improvement can be attributed to these two teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three years ago, the Big West was the No. 19 conference according to KenPom’s efficiency metrics. Entering Thursday, the Big West is the No. 12 conference this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
UC-San Diego is only in its fifth season as a Division-I program and the Tritons are 24-4 under the leadership of Eric Olen. UC San Diego enters the day with a one-game lead atop the conference standings with four games remaining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tritons are going for their tenth-straight win at Northridge on Thursday. Coincidentally, Northridge would already be on a ten-game winning streak right now if it hadn’t been for a date with UC San Diego on January 25. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tritons earned a 79-54 home win over Northridge, and that was the Matadors’ only loss in the last six weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UC San Diego’s defense held Northridge to 32.8-percent shooting from the floor, including a 2-for-14 effort from three-point range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northridge has already surpassed its win total from last season and Andy Newman has a lot to be proud of, but this is simply a nightmare matchup for his squad. Since the 2021-22 season, UC San Diego has won-and-covered each of the last seven meetings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average margin of victory in those seven games is 13 points per game. Northridge is No. 300 in the country in turnover rate, while the Tritons’ defense is No. 2 in the country in forcing turnovers. Northridge turned the ball over 17 times in that first meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UC San Diego vs Cal State Northridge Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
UC-San Diego’s defense is built on protecting the paint and they will allow you to shoot three-pointers. Well, Northridge does the complete opposite, hence why the Matadors struggle so much in this matchup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northridge is bottom-25 in the country in three-point attempts and only made two in the first meeting. Based on the series history and the matchup advantages that are pointing in UC-San Diego’s direction, we will gladly back the Tritons in this Big West battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UC San Diego vs Cal State Northridge Prediction: UC San Diego -5.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoldSheet Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you enjoy written analysis, breaking down stats or creating your own power ratings, The Basketball GoldSheet has something for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Basketball GoldSheet newsletter features stat breakdowns for every NBA and college basketball game each day, plus in-depth written analysis on our Key Releases by 12pm ET \/ 9am PT each morning. Grab a 30-day pass for just over $2 per day and we’ll see you on the hardwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-LWCov8fmqA\/maxresdefault.jpg\")