Long Beach State vs San José State Picks & Prediction for Tuesday December 9, 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/09/2025, 12:05 AM ET

San José State looks to build on its recent momentum when it hosts Long Beach State late Tuesday night in a Big West/Mountain West–style crossover matchup. The Beach continue to search for consistency, especially on the defensive end, while the Spartans come in playing improved basketball at home. Before placing your bets on this matchup, make sure you check the Free College Basketball Picks for additional insights and expert opinions across tonight’s slate.

Long Beach State Preview

Long Beach State enters this matchup at 2–8 and just 0–5 on the road, a clear sign of the team’s struggles in hostile environments. The Beach average 71.2 points per game, but their biggest issue is the defensive end, where they surrender 77.1 points per game and frequently allow opponents to dictate tempo.

Their offense is led by Gio Sykes, who scores 16.2 points per game on solid efficiency (45.3% FG, 80.6% FT). He is capable of creating his own shot and keeping the Beach competitive for stretches. However, Long Beach State lacks scoring balance behind him, often relying on individual play rather than fluid offensive execution.

Recent performances show a mix of competitive flashes and defensive lapses. A close 80–74 loss to UCSD and an overtime defeat against UC Santa Barbara demonstrate that Long Beach can hang around, but poor late-game defense and rebounding continue to cost them. Against a San José State team that is stronger at home and more efficient offensively, LBSU must tighten up their defensive rotations and limit turnovers to avoid falling behind early.

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San José State Preview

San José State comes in at 4–5, but their 3–1 home record is a significant advantage. The Spartans score 73.6 points per game while allowing 71.4, showing a much more balanced profile than their opponent. Their offense is powered by Cheikh Garland, who leads the team with 17.9 points per game while shooting an impressive 54.3% from the field. Garland’s ability to attack the rim and score in the mid-range makes him one of the most reliable scorers in the Mountain West.

SJSU has also shown considerable improvement lately, winning two of its last three including an 86–69 victory over San Diego. The Spartans' defense has tightened up, especially in the halfcourt, and they have been more effective on the glass thanks to improved positioning and second-chance denial.

This is the type of matchup where San José State’s physicality, home-court comfort, and offensive efficiency should give them a clear edge. Long Beach State’s defensive weaknesses play right into what SJSU does best—spacing the floor, running ball screens, and generating high-percentage looks.

Long Beach State vs San José State Pick

I’m backing San José State in this matchup. The Spartans are the more complete team, they’re considerably better at home, and their offense is more efficient and balanced. Long Beach State struggles to defend for full possessions, especially on the road, and the Beach’s rebounding issues could be a major problem against a physical Spartans frontcourt.

While Gio Sykes can get hot and keep LBSU in the game early, San José State’s depth and shooting efficiency should allow them to pull away late. The Spartans match up well on both ends and should be able to control pace and dictate the style of play. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for San Jose State with the Fliff promo code. The best sportsbooks are the best way to go when you are betting on Long Beach State. Make sure when you place your San Jose State vs Long Beach State bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.

My Pick: San José State to win and cover the spread.

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