Cal Irvine (27-5) vs Cal Poly (16-18)
Game Info: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:30 pm (Lee's Family Forum)
Betting Odds: Cal Irvine -10.5 -- Over/Under: 155.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN2
The Cal Poly Mustangs are facing the UC-Irvine Anteaters on Friday, March 14th at the Lee's Family Forum, in the second Big West semifinal between the 2nd seed and the 7th seed of the conference. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cal Poly Mustangs vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction. We will examine:
The UC-Irvine Anteaters recent form and player performance
The Cal Poly Mustangs recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-Irvine Anteaters
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cal Poly Mustangs
Recent betting trends in games played between the Cal Poly Mustangsand UC-Irvine Anteaters
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Cal Poly Mustangs vs UC-Irvine Anteaters game
UC-Irvine Anteaters Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters have a 27-5 record this season and were placed 2nd in the Big West. They are coming off a 97-88 win over UCSB. The Anteaters are 20-11 against the spread, and 13-18 in over/under.
Offensively, UC-Irvine is averaging 75.7 points per game, which ranks 127th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65.6 points per game (28th). The Anteaters shoot with 45.5% from the field (135th), and with 35% from beyond the arc (120th). The Anteaters shoot with 80.2% from the free-throw line, which is the 5th-best in the nation, and are grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game (44th).
Bent Leuchten leads UC-Irvine in scoring with an average of 15.4 points and a team-high 9.1 rebounds, while Devin Tillis adds 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
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Cal Poly Mustangs Preview
The Cal Poly Mustangs have a 16-18 record this season and were placed 7th in the Big West. They are coming off a 96-83 win over UC Riverside in the quarterfinals of the tournament last night. The Mustangs are 18-15 against the spread, and 21-12 in over/under.
Offensively, Cal Poly is averaging 82.2 points per game, which is 25th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 82.5 points per game, which is the 5th-worst nationally. The Mustangs shoot with 46.2% from the field (119th), and with 35.9% from beyond the arc (109th). The Mustangs shoot with 76.7% from the free throw line (35th), and are grabbing 31.3 rebounds per game (222nd).
Owen Koonce leads Cal Poly in scoring in the playoffs, with an average of 17.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Jarred Hyder adds 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and a team-high 3 assists per game.
Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win
- UC Irvine has won 16 of its last 17 games against Cal Poly.
- Cal Poly has lost each of its last seven Friday night games.
- UC Irvine has won the first half in each of its last four games against Cal Poly.
Why the Cal Poly Mustangs will win
- Cal Poly has won each of its last five games.
- UC Irvine has lost four of its last five games against the Big West Conference at neutral venues.
- Cal Poly has won the first half in four of its last five games against the Big West Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Fourteen of UC Irvine's last 16 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 153 or fewer points.
- Each of Cal Poly's last four night games against the Big West Conference have produced a total of 161+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UC Irvine ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.2%).
- UC Irvine ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (13.5).
- Cal Poly ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (9.5).
- Cal Poly ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for pace this season (74.2).
Cal Poly Mustangs vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction
UC-Irvine Anteaters is 9-1 in their last 10 meetings against Cal Poly, and are 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 meetings. Over is 3-0 in their last 5 meetings, and UC-Irvine has won both meetings against Cal Poly this season. At home by 101-71 and on the road by 98-89 in overtime, covering the spread in both, as both games went way over the point total.
In this Cal Poly Mustangs vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction, UC-Irvine is coming as -10.5-point favorites. UC-Irvine is rightfully favored, as they have a far better record this season, and had more wins away from home this season, with a grand total of 14, while Cal Poly has won only 5 times on the road. both teams are coming into this matchup in very good form, as UC Irvine is 7-1 in their last 8 games and 4-1 against the spread in their last 5, while Cal Poly is 5-0 in their last 5 and 5-0 against the spread, so I see no value on either side. Both teams have a strong 9-3 to the over in their last 12 games combined, and both of their meetings this season were extremely high-scoring ones, with 172 and 187 total points. With today’s total set at 155.5, I’m going to go over the point total.
Nikos’s Pick Over 155.5
AUTHOR: Nikos Lagouretos
