Cal Irvine vs UC Riverside Prediction 1/23/25 College Basketball Picks

The UC-Irvine Anteaters are visiting the UC-Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, January 23rd at the SRC Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UC-Irvine Anteaters vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction. We will examine:

The UC-Riverside Highlanders’ recent form and player performance

The UC-Irvine Anteaters’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-Riverside Highlanders

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-Irvine Anteaters

Recent betting trends in games played between UC-Irvine Anteaters and UC-Riverside Highlanders

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for UC-Irvine Anteaters vs UC-Riverside Highlanders game

UC-Riverside Highlanders Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders have an 11-8 record this season and are sitting in the 7th place in the Big West. They are coming off an 85-81 win over UC San Diego. The Highlanders are 10-6-1 against the spread, and 9-8 in over/under while having a 7-1 home record.

Offensively, UC Riverside is averaging 72 points per game, which ranks 252nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 72.8 points per game (228th). The Highlanders shoot 41.4% from the field (328th) and 32.5% from beyond the arc (255th). The Highlanders shoot 71.7% from the free throw line (190th) and are grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game (73rd).

Barrington Hargress leads UC Riverside in scoring this season, with an average of 20.4 points, adding a team-high 3.9 assists, while Kaleb Smith adds 11.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.

UC-Irvine Anteaters Preview

The UC Irvine Anteaters have a 17-2 record this season and are sitting in the first place in the Big West. They are coming off a 101-71 win over Cal Poly. The Anteaters are 14-4 against the spread, and 6-12 in over/under while having an 8-2 road record.

Offensively, UC-Irvine is averaging 76.2 points per game, which ranks 152nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 64.1 points per game (23rd). The Anteaters shoot 45.2% from the field (159th) and 33.5% from beyond the arc (205th). The Anteaters shoot 80.8% from the free-throw line, which is the 4th-best in the nation, and are grabbing 40.1 rebounds per game (28th).

Bent Leuchten leads UC-Irvine in scoring with an average of 15.9 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds, while Devin Tillis adds 13.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. UC Irvine will take on Hawaii after this game.

Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win

• UC Riverside has won eight of its last nine games at Student Recreation Center Arena.
• UC Riverside has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win

• UC Irvine has won each of its last 22 night games against UC Riverside.
• UC Riverside has lost each of its last three night games.
• UC Irvine has won the first half in each of its last eight road night games against the Big West Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Nine of the last 10 night games between UC Irvine and UC Riverside have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.
• Each of UC Irvine’s last seven Thursday games against the Big West Conference has produced a total of 144+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Riverside ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.4).
• UC Irvine ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.8%).
• UC Irvine ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (9.3).

UC-Irvine Anteaters vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Head-to-Head

UC-Irvine is 8-1 in their last 9 meetings against UC-Riverside and is 7-2 against the spread. Over is 6-4 in their last 10 meetings, and in their previous meeting earlier this season, UC-Irvine won 81-57 at home, covering the spread, as the game went under the point total.

UC-Irvine Anteaters vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction

In this UC-Irvine Anteaters vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction, UC-Irvine is coming as a -7.5 road favorites. UC-Irvine is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, and are one of the better road teams in the nation. The Anteaters are coming in hot, having won their last seven matches, and are also 7-0 against the spread, while the Highlanders are 1-3 in their last 4 and just 2-2 against the spread. UC-Irvine has already won their previous meeting this season and has been dominating UC-Riverside in recent years. Take the UC-Irvine Anteaters and lay the points on the road.