1* Free Pick on UC-Santa Barbara -3½
UC-Santa Barbara is the much more efficient team in this matchup. They shoot the ball better and protect the rim at a much higher level.
UC-Davis relies too heavily on their guards to create late in the shot clock. That doesn't work against a Gauchos defense that ranks near the top of the conference in effective field goal percentage.
The Gauchos are coming into this game with significant momentum. They have covered the spread in four of their last five road games.
UC-Davis has struggled to defend the paint all season. They lack the size to match up with the Santa Barbara frontcourt.
The Gauchos will dominate the glass tonight. This creates second-chance points that a thin Davis rotation simply cannot handle.
Santa Barbara is also the better team at the charity stripe. They hit their free throws when it counts to close out games on the road.
The Aggies turn the ball over too often to keep pace. UCSB is disciplined and rarely beats themselves with sloppy play.
This line is short because Davis is playing at home. However, the talent gap between these two rosters is much wider than three and a half points.
Santa Barbara is the more rested team and has stayed focused during this road trip. They have a clear edge in offensive rating and overall shooting depth.
Davis has lost three of their last four games straight up. They are struggling to find a rhythm on the offensive end right now.
Expect the Gauchos to control the tempo from the opening tip. They will use their size advantage to wear down the Aggies over forty minutes.
I like the UC-Santa Barbara -3.5.
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