Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our UC Santa Barbara vs Hawaii NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Honolulu.

UC Santa Barbara vs Hawaii Prediction

Planning on watching today's Gauchos and Rainbow Warriors game? Catch the action at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI, as the Rainbow Warriors hosts this showdown at 11:59 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 136.5 points, and Hawaii is favored by -2.5 vs. UC Santa Barbara in a Big West conference matchup.

UC Santa Barbara vs. Hawaii Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Where: Honolulu at Stan Sheriff Center
Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Betting Odds HAWAII -2.5, USCB +124 | HAWAII -150 O/U 136.5

Gauchos Preview: Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog UC Santa Barbara?

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Recent Game/Games

UC Santa Barbara fell to 6-5 on the season after a 68-56 loss to Missouri State on Sunday. The Gauchos were +1 point underdogs going into the game and did not cover the spread. The total points for the game were 124, which was under the O/U line of 137.5.

After trailing 31-25 at halftime, UCSB allowed 37 points in the 2nd half while scoring 31 of their own. The Gauchos will look to bounce back after this road loss.

Gauchos Offense Breakdown

In their last game, UC Santa Barbara managed just 56 points, shooting 41.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 47.9%. They hit 33.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on 6 of 18 attempts, and went 10 for 16 from the free-throw line, shooting 62.5%.

Dez White led the Gauchos with 26 points, hitting 3 of 5 from deep, while Kenny Pohto added 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 61.5% from the field. UCSB had 9 assists and 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Gauchos Team Defense

UC Santa Barbara's defense gave up 68 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 48% from the field. The Gauchos allowed 16 two-point field goals on 32 attempts, a 50% success rate.

From beyond the arc, the opposition hit 6 of 13 threes, shooting 46%. They also went to the free-throw line 24 times, making 18 for 75%. UC Santa Barbara gave up 10 offensive rebounds.

Rainbow Warriors Preview: Can Hawaii Live Up to the Hype at Home?

Hawaii improved to 6-4 on the season with a 73-70 home win over Oakland on Wednesday, December 25th. The Rainbow Warriors entered the game as -3.5 point favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 143, surpassing the over/under line of 134.

Hawaii led 32-25 at halftime but allowed 39 points in the 2nd half while scoring 32 of their own. Despite the defensive lapse, they managed to hold on for the win.

Rainbow Warriors Offense Breakdown

Hawaii's offense put up 73 points in their latest game, shooting 39% from the field and just 22.7% from three-point range, hitting 5 of 22 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.1%, and they connected on 75.9% of their free throws, going 22 for 29 from the line.

Malcolm Christie led the way with 27 points, hitting 7 of 22 threes at a 31.8% rate. Gytis Nemeiksa added 25 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 42.9% overall and 40% from deep. Hawaii grabbed 16 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists in the win.

Rainbow Warriors Team Defense

Hawaii's defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 39% from the field. They allowed 18 two-point baskets on 37 attempts, a 48% conversion rate.

From beyond the arc, Hawaii held their opponents to 5 made threes on 22 attempts, a 22% success rate. They also sent the other team to the line 29 times, where they hit 22 free throws, or 75%. Hawaii allowed 16 offensive rebounds.

Gauchos vs Rainbow Warriors Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last five games away from home, the Gauchos have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 1-3-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 66 points per game in this stretch.
In their last three games at home, the Rainbow Warriors have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 68 points per game in these contests.
In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Gauchos have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-3-1.
As the betting favorite, the Rainbow Warriors have an ATS mark of just 6-4 in their last ten games. Hawaii posted a straight up mark of 9-1 in these matchups.