Utah Tech Trailblazers vs California Baptist Lancers Prediction, 1/8/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Utah Tech Trailblazers vs California Baptist Lancers

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center in Riverside, CA

TV: ESPN+

Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center is the location where the California Baptist Lancers (10-6) will play the Utah Tech Trailblazers (9-7) on Thursday.

The Utah Tech Trailblazers faced off with Abilene Christian and earned the victory with a final of 79-64 in their last game. Utah Tech ended having earned a 56.0% field goal percentage (28 out of 50) and made 12 out of their 27 shots from downtown. At the free throw line, the Trailblazers converted 11 of 12 attempts for a percentage of 91.7%. In reference to pulling down boards, they collected 24 with 5 of them being offensive. They also distributed 19 dimes in this contest in addition to forcing the other team into 16 turnovers and earning 12 steals. In regard to defense, Utah Tech allowed 48.0% from the field on 24 out of 50 shooting. Abilene Christian recorded 12 dimes and had 9 steals in the game. Moreover, Abilene Christian snagged 22 boards (8 offensive, 14 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. Abilene Christian ended up shooting 68.4% when shooting free throws by converting 13 of 19 attempts. They buried 3 of 17 tries from 3-point land. In regard to personal fouls, the Trailblazers ended up walking away with 14 while Abilene Christian racked up 13 personal fouls.

Chance Trujillo is one guy who had an impact for this game. He ended up going 58.3% from the field and dished out 1 assist. He was on the hardwood for 34 mins and snagged 1 rebound. He accounted for 19 points on 7 out of 12 shooting.

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Utah Tech heads into this one with a mark of 9-7 for the season. They average 78.6 pts per contest (152nd in Division 1) while going 47.5% from the field. The Trailblazers are shooting 32.0% on shots from downtown (126 of 394) and 71.7% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Utah Tech is pulling down 35.2 boards per contest and has accounted for 229 assists so far this season, which ranks 143rd in the country in terms of passing the ball. They are losing possession via turnover 13.1 times per game and as a team they commit 16.8 personal fouls every game.

When they are on defense, the Trailblazers have forced 14.4 turnovers per contest and they draw 17.2 personal fouls. They are giving up 29.8% on shots from downtown and they are 170th in the country in PPG allowed (72.8). The Trailblazers defense is giving up an opponent FG percentage of 44.0% (418 of 950) and they surrender 34.9 rebounds per game as a group. They are currently ranked 187th in D-1 in giving up assists to the opposition with 201 relinquished on the campaign.

When they last stepped on the court, the California Baptist Lancers took a loss by a final score of 81-76 when they played Tarleton State. In relation to cleaning the glass, California Baptist allowed Tarleton State to grab 19 in all (5 on the offensive glass). They shot 50.0% from downtown by shooting 6 out of 12 and walked away from this one shooting 29 of 39 at the free throw line (74.4%). The Lancers allowed Tarleton State to knock down 23 out of their 51 tries from the floor which had them sitting at 45.1% in this matchup. When this game wrapped up, the Lancers went 28 for 54 from the floor which had them at 51.9%. When it comes to shooting from distance, California Baptist buried 7 of 20 attempts (35.0%). They were able to knock down 13 of those for a rate of 72.2%. Tarleton State had 19 personal fouls for this contest which got the Lancers to the free throw line for a total of 18 shots. They turned it over 21 times, while earning 6 steals in the matchup. The Lancers were able to snag 26 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive rebounds totaling 36 in this game.

Dominique Daniels Jr. ended up being important for the Lancers in the game. He buried 7 of 15 in this game for a field goal percentage of 46.7%, and accounted for 4 rebounds. He scored 25 points in his 42 mins of playing time and totaled 4 assists for this contest.

California Baptist has a win-loss record of 10-6 on the year. The Lancers are responsible for committing 19.6 fouls per contest and they shoot 72.8% from the free throw line. They are getting an assist 11.3 times per contest (343rd in college hoops) and they are turning it over 13.8 times per contest. California Baptist has earned 1,173 pts for the campaign (73.3 per contest) and they pull down 40.0 rebounds per contest. When it comes to offensive execution, the Lancers are shooting 44.0% from the floor, which is 258th in the country.

The Lancers on the defensive end are ranked 122nd in college in PPG surrendered with 70.9. They are able to force 11.8 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 43.1% from the floor (163rd in college hoops). The California Baptist defense surrenders 31.5% on shots from beyond the arc (96 of 305) and opponents are connecting on 73.3% of their free throw attempts. They relinquish 10.9 assists and 30.8 rebounds every game, which is 36th and 32nd in college hoops.

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take California Baptist

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