Cal State Northridge Matadors vs CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners Prediction, 3/5/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Cal State Northridge Matadors vs CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Location: Icardo Center in Bakersfield, CA

TV: ESPN+

Icardo Center is the location where the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (8-22) will meet the Cal State Northridge Matadors (18-12) on Thursday.

The Cal State Northridge Matadors took the court against UC Riverside and took a loss by a final of 95-84 in their last game. Cal State Northridge wrapped up the contest having earned a 43.8% field goal percentage (32 of 73) and knocked down 3 of their 16 3-point attempts. When they shot from the free throw line, the Matadors converted 17 of their 23 shots for a percentage of 73.9%. In regard to grabbing rebounds, they earned 42 with 13 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 14 dimes in this game while forcing 5 turnovers and getting 1 steal. When discussing the defense, Cal State Northridge allowed the other team to go 44.0% from the field on 33 out of 75 shooting. UC Riverside distributed 19 dimes and had 5 steals in this matchup. Additionally, UC Riverside grabbed 39 rebounds (13 offensive, 26 defensive), but wasn't able to record a rejection. UC Riverside finished the game shooting 80.0% when shooting free throws by making 20 of their 25 attempts. They buried 9 out of their 35 shots from beyond the arc. Regarding personal fouls, the Matadors finished with 16 while UC Riverside had 17 personal fouls.

Josiah Davis is a guy who was important in this game. He finished the game shooting 65.2% from the floor and also distributed 8 dimes. He saw the court for 36 mins played and totaled 9 rebounds. He left the arena with 38 points on 15 of 23 shooting.

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Cal State Northridge heads into this game with a mark of 18-12 this year. They turn the ball over 13.1 times per game and as a unit are committing 18.3 fouls every game. As a unit, Cal State Northridge is pulling down 41.6 rebounds per contest and has totaled 509 dimes on the year, which ranks 37th in the nation in terms of passing the ball. The Matadors are hitting 33.1% on three-point attempts (212 of 641) and 65.5% from the free throw line. They are averaging 81.5 points per outing (61st in college hoops) on 45.5% from the floor.

On the defensive end, the Matadors are able to force 12.8 turnovers per game and they draw 18.9 personal fouls. They are 307th in Division 1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 458 conceded so far this season. The Matadors defense is allowing a FG percentage of 42.2% (789 of 1,871) and they concede 36.1 rebounds per contest as a squad. They are surrendering 33.6% on 3-point shots while they are 318th in college hoops in PPG allowed (79.2).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 88-87 against Long Beach State. The Roadrunners corralled 20 defensive boards and 6 offensive boards totaling 26 for this contest. They also gave up possession of the ball 9 times, while getting 13 steals for the contest. Long Beach State was called for 27 fouls in the game which got the Roadrunners to the free throw line for a total of 44 shots. They were able to make 30 of them for a percentage of 68.2%. In regard to shots from beyond the perimeter, CSU Bakersfield knocked down 3 out of their 10 tries (30.0%). When all was said and done, the Roadrunners walked away from this one shooting 27 for 51 from the field which gave them a rate of 52.9%. The Roadrunners permitted Long Beach State to convert 33 out of their 54 tries from the field which had them shooting 61.1% for the matchup. They went 56.3% from behind the 3-point line via 9 of 16 and walked away from this one shooting 13 of 20 from the free throw line (65.0%). In regard to rebounding, CSU Bakersfield permitted Long Beach State to snag 30 in total (5 offensive).

Ron Jessamy ended up being a factor for the Roadrunners for this contest. He accumulated 33 points in his 39 minutes on the court and accumulated 1 assist for this contest. He buried 11 of 19 for the matchup for a rate of 57.9%, and added 11 rebounds.

CSU Bakersfield has a record of 8-22 so far this year. The Roadrunners have committed 20.4 personal fouls per contest and they go 74.0% from the charity stripe. They are earning an assist 10.9 times per game (352nd in D-1) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.5 times per game. CSU Bakersfield has 2,179 points so far this year (72.6 per contest) and they pull down 34.7 rebounds per game. As an offensive team, the Roadrunners are hitting on 41.9% from the floor, which ranks 330th in the nation.

The Roadrunners are ranked 342nd in the nation in PPG given up with 81.2. They are forcing their opponents into 13.4 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 46.4% from the floor (305th in college). The CSU Bakersfield defense gives up 36.2% on shots from behind the 3-point line (243 of 672) and opponents are knocking down 71.6% of their free throw attempts. They relinquish 14.7 assists and 37.7 boards per contest, which has them ranked 279th and 340th in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take CSU Bakersfield

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