UC Davis Aggies vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday January 8 2026
The UC Davis Aggies, currently holding an 8-6 overall record and sitting at 1-2 in Big West play this season, are headed down to Santa Barbara to take on the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The Gauchos have a slightly better record so far at 9-6 overall and are even in the conference at 2-2. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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UC Davis vs. UC Santa Barbara Game Information
- January 8, 2026
- 9:00pm EST
- The Thunderdome
- ESPN+
UC Santa Barbara Form & Recent Results
UC Santa Barbara enters this game looking to snap a tough skid, having lost their last two matchups and four out of their previous five games. In their most recent game, the Gauchos fell to Cal State Northridge by a score of 74-65. CJ Shaw led the way offensively in that game with 20 points, while Zion Sensley pulled down 7 rebounds and Marvin McGhee IV contributed 3 assists. The Gauchos struggled from deep, hitting only 20% of their shots from downtown, but did manage to sink 85% of their free throws. However, turnovers were an issue, as they coughed the ball up 14 times.
So far this season, Aidan Mahaney has been the go-to scorer for UC Santa Barbara, pouring in an average of 14.9 points per game. Not far behind him is Miro Little, who is contributing 11.7 points per contest. The Gauchos’ presence on the boards has been anchored by Zion Sensley, who is grabbing a team-leading 7.7 rebounds per game. When it comes to facilitating the offense, Miro Little is also leading the team in assists, dishing out an average of 3.9 per game. Defensively, UC Santa Barbara has had its challenges lately, giving up an average of 73 points per game over their last five matchups. Despite these recent struggles, the Gauchos have been tough to beat on their home court, posting an impressive 6-1 record and scoring an average of 87.6 points in those games. With their strong track record at home, they’re hoping to tap into that energy and earn a critical conference win against UC Davis.
UC Davis Form & Recent Results
UC Davis comes into this game hoping to bounce back after a tough loss, having dropped their most recent matchup, but still taking three victories in their last five. In their narrow 81-79 defeat to Cal State Bakersfield, Isaiah Chappell stepped up with 15 points, while Nils Cooper was strong on the glass, pulling down 7 rebounds, and Brayden Fagbemi orchestrated the offense, handing out 8 assists. The Aggies shot a solid 40% from the three-point line in that game, collected 35 rebounds overall, and impressively led for more than two-thirds of the contest, but ultimately couldn’t hold on for the win.
Over the course of this season, Connor Sevilla has been the Aggies’ most reliable scorer, pouring in an average of 14.5 points per game. Not far behind is Nils Cooper, who has chipped in 14.3 points each night, establishing himself as the team’s second-best offensive weapon. On the boards, Niko Rocak has been the top rebounder for UC Davis, grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game as he anchors their inside presence. Meanwhile, Brayden Fagbemi has done a great job running the team’s offense, averaging 4.7 assists per game, making him the Aggies’ leader in that category. UC Davis has been putting up points lately, averaging an impressive 89.4 points over their last five games. However, they have struggled to find success away from home, holding a 2-4 record on the road this season, and giving up an average of 82.5 points per game in those contests. Heading into their next game against UC Santa Barbara, the Aggies are hoping to tighten up their defense, get back into the win column, and bring their conference record back to even.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +2,320.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
Key Stats
- UC Davis Aggies this season: 47% field goal percentage, 33.1 rebounds, 16.6 assists, 2.6 blocks, 8.2 steals per game
- UC Santa Barbara Gauchos this season: 47% field goal percentage, 36.0 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 2.5 blocks, 7.5 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- UCSB -3.5; O/U 149.5
UC Davis vs. UC Santa Barbara Picks and Prediction
UC Santa Barbara has been dominant when playing on their own court this season, winning six out of their last seven home games thanks to a red-hot offense that keeps putting up impressive numbers. However, while their scoring has been explosive, the Gauchos’ defense has struggled recently, giving up more points than they'd like. As they gear up for this matchup, UC Santa Barbara will be relying on the comfort and energy that comes with home-court advantage, hoping it can help reignite their defensive intensity. Meanwhile, the UC Davis Aggies have hit some rough patches on the road, losing four out of their last six games away from home. They’ll be coming into this game eager to turn things around, aiming to level out their conference record and gain some much-needed momentum. Final Score Prediction, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos win but fail to cover the spread, 78-76.
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