Long Beach State vs. Cal State Fullerton: A Deep Dive

Dan Johnson breaks down tonight’s college basketball clash between the Long Beach State Beach and the Cal State Fullerton Titans. This Big West battle promises a high-tempo, exciting game with plenty of scoring opportunities. Updated Feb 12, 2026 8:18 PM EST.

Setting the Stage

Cal State Fullerton enters the game with a 12-13 record (7-6 in conference play), firmly in the middle of the Big West standings. Long Beach State, at 9-16 (5-8 in conference), is looking to defend its home court and regain momentum. The betting line currently sits at -1.5 points for Fullerton and an over/under of 156.5, signaling a game expected to be fast-paced and high-scoring.

Tempo and Offensive Styles

Fullerton is one of the fastest teams in the nation, averaging 77.8 possessions per game, while Long Beach State plays at a slightly slower pace of 72.3. This difference suggests a game with roughly 75 possessions, creating ample opportunities for points. Neither team boasts a particularly strong defense; Fullerton allows 1.065 points per possession with a 54.7% opponent effective field goal percentage (eFG), while Long Beach State concedes 1.085 points per possession and a 56.0% opponent eFG.

Foul Trouble and Free Throws

Both teams are adept at drawing fouls. Fullerton generates free throw attempts on 40.0% of their possessions and shoots 75.5% from the line. Long Beach State is at 36.3% FTA/FGA and 70.7% shooting. In a high-possession game, these trips to the free-throw line will be crucial for keeping the scoreboard moving.

Possession Battles and Rebounding

Long Beach State excels at forcing turnovers (20.1% of defensive trips), leading to fast-break opportunities. However, they struggle with defensive rebounding, allowing opponents to grab 34.2% of available offensive boards. Fullerton turns the ball over 18.0% of the time, but compensates with a strong three-point attack, shooting 36.1% from beyond the arc on 25.3 attempts per game. Long Beach State also relies on offensive rebounding (29.4%) and three-point shooting (33.3%) to create scoring chances.

Key Players to Watch

For Cal State Fullerton, Joshua Ward leads the way with 14.4 points and 3.2 assists per game. Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro (13.0 points) and Landon Seaman (12.3 points, 55.6% shooting) provide additional scoring threats. Christian Williams adds defensive disruption with 1.9 steals per game.

Long Beach State is led by Gavin Sykes (18.2 points), Petar Majstorovic (15.4 points, 89.7% free throw shooting), and Rob Diaz III (12.2 points). Majstorovic’s clutch free-throw shooting makes him a valuable asset in close games.

Recent Form and Previous Matchup

Fullerton has shown both high-scoring and more controlled games recently, including a 78-72 win over UC Riverside with 32 free throw attempts and an 82-66 victory over CSU Bakersfield with 31 three-point attempts. Long Beach State is comfortable playing through contact and distributing the scoring. Notably, Long Beach State defeated Fullerton 71-61 on January 22nd, a reminder of their potential to control the matchup.

The Pick: Over 156.5

I’m betting on the over 156.5 points, and I’m comfortable up to 158.5. The game could fall short if both teams experience a cold shooting night from three-point range, or if turnovers don’t translate into productive possessions.

Predicted Score: Cal State Fullerton 82, Long Beach State 79.

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Dan Johnson has been an editor, writer, and analyst for DraftKings and DraftKings Network since 2024.

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