UC Irvine vs Cal Poly Prediction 2/12/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a UC Irvine vs Cal Poly prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, February 12th at the Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Preview

The UC Irvine Anteaters are 16-8 (9-3) this season after they lost to UCSB by a score of 84-79 in their last game. UC Irvine trailed 34-28 at halftime, but they did score 51 points in the second half in the loss. The Anteaters shot 50% from the field, 36% on three pointers, and 92% on free throws in the game. Andre Henry led UC Irvine with 18 points and two rebounds, while Kyle Evans added 17 points and six rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, UC Irvine defeated Cal State Bakersfield by a score of 78-62 and Hawaii by a score of 87-76. The Anteaters have scored 77.5 points per game with 40.6 rebounds and 16.0 assists per game, while they have allowed 67.7 points against per game this season. Jurian Dixon is averaging 15.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while Kyle Evans is averaging 12.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Anteaters. UC Irvine is shooting 46.3% from the field, 68.3% on free throws, and 32.4% on three pointers this season. 

Cal Poly Mustangs Betting Preview

The Cal Poly Mustangs are 9-16 (5-8) this year after they lost to UC Davis by a score of 67-58 in their last game. Cal Poly led 22-21 at halftime, but they were outscored 46-36 in the second half in the loss. The Mustangs shot 32% from the field, 25% on three pointers, and 100% on free throws in the game. Hamad Mousa led Cal Poly with 12 points and six rebounds, while Jess Esso Essis added 12 points and eight rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Cal Poly lost to CS Northridge by a score of 97-96, but did beat UC Riverside by a score of 94-87 before that. The Mustangs have scored 81.1 points per game with 37.3 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game, while they have allowed 86.0 points against per game this season. Hamad Mousa is averaging 20.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Cayden Ward is averaging 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Mustangs. Cal Poly is shooting 43.2% from the field, 77.5% on free throws, and 33.6% on three pointers this year. 

Why the Cal Poly Mustangs will win

• The home team has won each of UC Irvine’s last three games.

Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win

• UC Irvine has won each of its last seven games against Cal Poly.
• Cal Poly has lost 20 of its last 23 home night games against the Big West Conference.
• Cal Poly has lost the first half in each of its last six home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Thirteen of UC Irvine’s last 14 Thursday night road games against the Big West Conference have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Twenty-four of Cal Poly’s last 28 home night games against the Big West Conference have produced a total of 156 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Cal Poly ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (86.0).
• Cal Poly ranks 359th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (30.3).
• UC Irvine ranks 357th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (16.7).
• UC Irvine ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (94.3).

UC Irvine vs Cal Poly Prediction 

UC Irvine comes into this matchup after their winning streak was snapped against UCSB last time out and they will be on the road here. The Anteaters are shooting 46% from the field and they have scored at least 78 points in four of their last five games. Cal Poly has dropped two in a row and they have allowed at least 78 points in four of their last five. The Mustangs are one of the worst defensive teams in the country, so I will back UC Irvine to cover here.

David Racey's Pick: UC Irvine -6.5