Hawai’i vs UC Riverside Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Hawaii vs UC Riverside Prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, January 1st. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

UC Riverside Highlanders Preview

UC Riverside Highlanders have a 6-8 record this season and are sitting in the 6th place of the Big West Conference. They have a 3-1 home record and are coming off a 97-65 away loss against UCLA. Their previous three games were a 92-78 away loss against St. Mary’s, a 95-70 home win against Stanislaus State, and a 100-53 away loss against BYU.

Offensively, UC Riverside averages 74.2 points per game, while allowing 78.2 points per game defensively. The Highlanders shoot with 46% from the field and grab 34.8 rebounds per game, while dishing out 13.4 assists per game. They average 4.1 blocks per game and 4.9 steals per game defensively.

Andrew Henderson leads UC Riverside in scoring, with an average of 16.8 points per game, while shooting with 42.6% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line. Osiris Grady leads the team in rebounds with 6.9 per game, while Marqui Worthy Jr. adds a team-high 3.1 assists per game.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Preview

Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors have a 10-2 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the Big West Conference. They have a 0-1 away record and are coming off a 66-61 home win against UTEP. Their previous three games were a 98-46 home win against Hawai’i Hilo, a 69-59 home win against Cal State Fullerton, and a 75-69 home win against UC Davis.

Offensively, Hawai’i averages 80.4 points per game, while allowing 63.1 points per game defensively. The Rainbow Warriors shoot with 47% from the field and grab 41.3 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.1 assists per game. They average 3.4 blocks per game and 6.5 steals per game defensively.

Isaac Johnson leads Hawai’i in scoring, with an average of 12.6 points per game, while shooting with 51.1% from the field and 91.1% from the free throw line. Isaac Johnson also leads the team in rebounds with 6.8 per game, while Aaron Hunkin-Claytor adds a team-high 3.7 assists per game.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors @ UC Riverside Highlanders Betting Trends: January 1, 2026

Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win

• Hawaii has lost each of its last eight road games.
• UC Riverside has won each of its last eight games against Conference opponents at Student Recreation Center Arena.
• The home team has won the first half in 11 of Hawaii’s last 12 games.

Why the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will win

• Hawaii has won each of its last six games.
• UC Riverside has lost three of its last four games.
• Hawaii has won the first half in each of its last six games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of Hawaii’s last 19 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
• Each of UC Riverside’s last five games have produced a total of 153+ points.

Hawaii vs UC Riverside Prediction

In this Hawaii vs UC Riverside Prediction, Hawaii is coming as -8.5 road favorites. Hawaii has been the far better team this season, as they have twice as many overall wins as Riverside, but they will be playing just their second game on the road, having lost the previous one. Riverside has not been in good form lately, with a 2-5 record in its last 7 games and have been inferior both offensively and defensively than Hawaii, with a -4 point differential, compared to their opponents’ +17.3. Take the better team to win this one comfortably, so take Hawaii and lay the points on the road.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Hawaii -8.5