College hoops betting interest focuses on the CS Northridge vs Santa Barbara battle Thursday at The Matadome as the Matadors look to defend home court and cover the NCAAB point spread.

CS Northridge battles the Gauchos, currently sitting with a 14-11 mark (7-9 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, always important for totals bettors, are 11-7 for the Matadors and 9-7 for the Gauchos.



View Santa Barbara vs CS Northridge Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The Matadors are listed as 2.5-point underdogs at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Matadors - Gauchos odds would favor the Gauchos if the lines were set according to our power ranks. CS Northridge is rated No. 230 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Santa Barbara is at No. 195. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 72-68 win for the Gauchos.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features CS Northridge's No. 131-ranked scoring average of 70.4 PPG, against a Gauchos defense rated No. 132 and allowing 66.3 PPG. The Matadors FG% has averaged 44.8% to date this season, less than the Gauchos shooters have managed so far (46.3% per game).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Santa Barbara owns the country's No. 72-rated mark, allowing 66.9 points per game on the highway. CS Northridge, on the other hand, rates No. 78 in scoring at home.

Last time out for Santa Barbara, they were a 78-76 loser as they battled Boise State at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 3.5-point favorite. Orlando Johnson went off for 25 points and added 9 rebounds but it wasn't enough as Boise State handed Santa Barbara a 78-76 defeat at Thunderdome.

Last time out for CS Northridge, they were a 68-59 Sportsbook as they battled Eastern Washington on the road. They covered in the match as a 3-point underdog. The Matadors grabbed a 68-59 win over the Eagles on Saturday, behind a 19-point effort from Lenny Daniel at Reese Court.


Santa Barbara Gauchos Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Long Beach State are 10-0
After playing Boise State are 4-2
After a loss are 8-2

CS Northridge Matadors Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing UC Davis are 3-7
After playing Eastern Washington are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few Gauchos at Matadors trends to consider:
CS Northridge is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Santa Barbara
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of CS Northridge's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of CS Northridge's last 8 games when playing Santa Barbara
CS Northridge is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games


Next up:
Santa Barbara at Long Beach State, Saturday, February 26
CS Northridge at UC Davis, Thursday, March 3