Cal Irvine (24-5) vs Long Beach State (7-22)
March 1, 2025 at 10:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Cal Irvine -16.5 — Over/Under: 135.5
The Long Beach State Beach are visiting the UC-Irvine Anteaters on Saturday, March 1st at the Bren Events Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Long Beach State Beach vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction. We will examine:
The UC-Irvine Anteaters recent form and player performance
The Long Beach State Beach recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-Irvine Anteaters
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Long Beach State Beach
Recent betting trends in games played between Long Beach State Beachand UC-Irvine Anteaters
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Long Beach State Beach vs UC-Irvine Anteaters game
UC-Irvine Anteaters Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters have a 24-5 record this season and are sitting on the second place of the Big West. They are coming off a 76-51 win in Cal State Fullerton. The Anteaters are 18-10 against the spread, and 11-17 in over/under, while having a 9-2 home record.
Offensively, UC-Irvine is averaging 74.8 points per game, which ranks 150th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65.2 points per game (25th). The Anteaters shoot with 44.6% from the field (193rd), and with 34.8% from beyond the arc (128th). The Anteaters shoot with 79.3% from the free-throw line, which is the 7th-best in the nation, and are grabbing 38.8 rebounds per game (30th).
Bent Leuchten leads UC-Irvine in scoring with an average of 15.7 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds, while Devin Tillis adds 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Long Beach State Beach Preview
The Long Beach State Beach have a 7-22 record this season and are sitting on the 10th place of the Big West. Long Beach State is coming off an 87-88 loss by Can State Bakersfield. The Beach are 12-15 against the spread, and 17-10 in over/under, while having a 4-9 road record.
Offensively, Long Beach State is averaging 67.6 points per game, which ranks just 328th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 74.2 points per game (256th). The Beach shoot with 43.6% from the field (244th), and with 35% from beyond the arc (122nd). The Beach shoot with 75.3% from the free-throw line (71st), and are grabbing 31.7 rebounds per game (333rd).
Devin Askew leads Long Beach State in scoring with an average of 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and a team-high 4.8 assists, while TJ Wrainwright adds 13.3 points per game.
Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win
- Long Beach State has lost each of its last 12 games.
- UC Irvine has won 23 of its last 25 games at Bren Events Center.
- Long Beach State has lost the first half in each of its last nine games at Bren Events Center.
Why the Long Beach State Beach will win
- The road team has won each of UC Irvine’s last four games.
Matchup/League Facts
- UC Irvine ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (9.8).
- UC Irvine ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.7%).
- Long Beach State ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (53.1).
- Long Beach State ranks 355th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (0.81).
Long Beach State Beach vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction
UC-Irvine is 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against Long Beach State, while Long Beach State is 6-4 against the spread. Over is 6-2 in their last 8 meetings and in their most recent meeting earlier this season, UC-Irvine won 80-75 in overtime on the road, not covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.
In this Long Beach State Beach vs UC-Irvine Anteaters Prediction, UC-Irvine is coming as -16.5 home favorites. UC-Irvine is rightfully favored, as they have been the superior team this season, and have been extremely strong at home, while Long Beach State has been below average on the road. The Anteaters are 7-2 in their last 9 games and 3-1 against the spread in their last 4, while on the other hand, the Beach are coming off ten consecutive losses. Take the better team, in better form, playing at home. Take the UC-Irvine Anteaters and lay the juice at home.