| MATCHUP | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | Cal Irvine Anteaters |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 18-11 | 19-10 |
| Where | Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA | |
| When | Saturday, February 28, 2026 | |
| Time | 10:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN2 | |
UC Irvine Anteaters Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters have a 19-10 overall record and a 12-5 record in the Big West. They are coming off a 68-67 road win against Cal State Northridge and their previous three games were a 71-69 home loss against UC San Diego, a 69-58 road win against Long Beach State and an 86-65 home win against Cal State Fullerton.
Offensively, UC Irvine averages 76.7 points per game, while allowing 67.7 points per game defensively. The Anteaters shoot with 46% from the field and grab 40.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 16.3 assists per game. They average 6.1 blocks per game and 7.8 steals per game defensively.
Jurian Dixon leads UC Irvine in scoring, with an average of 15.6 points per game, while shooting with 42.6% from the field and 77.6% from the free throw line. Kyle Evans is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.7 per game. Tama Isaac leads the team in assists with 4.3 per game.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Preview
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos have an 18-11 overall record and an 11-7 record in the Big West. They are coming off a 70-59 home win against UC Riverside and their previous three games were a 78-75 road loss against Hawaii, an 85-83 home loss against Cal State Northridge and an 89-79 road loss against Cal Poly.
Offensively, UC Santa Barbara averages 78.9 points per game, while allowing 73.1 points per game defensively. The Gauchos shoot with 47% from the field and grab 36 rebounds per game, while dishing out 14.8 assists per game. They average 2.3 blocks per game and 6.7 steals per game defensively.
Aidan Mahaney leads UC Santa Barbara in scoring, with an average of 15.4 points per game, while shooting with 44.2% from the field and 81% from the free throw line, adding a team-high 2.9 assists. Zion Sensley is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.8 per game.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos @ UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Trends: February 28, 2026
Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win
- UC Irvine has won 25 of its last 28 games against Conference opponents at Bren Events Center.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost eight of its last nine games at Bren Events Center.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in each of its last nine games at Bren Events Center.
Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win
- UC Santa Barbara has won eight of its last 10 night games.
- UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in each of its last eight Saturday night games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of UC Santa Barbara’s last eight games have produced a total of 144+ points.
- Each of UC Irvine’s last four home games have produced a total of 140+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UC Irvine ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (37.9%).
- UC Irvine ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (6.1).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (30.0).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (54.2).
UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine Prediction
In this UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine Prediction, UC Irvine is coming as -3 home favorites. Both teams have almost identical overall records this season but UC Irvine has been better against the spread and in excellent form lately, with a 7-3 record in its last 10 games. On the flip side, Santa Barbara is coming off three straight losses and are 1-4 in their last 5 head-to-head meetings against UC Irvine, so I like the value with the home team in this one. Take UC Irvine and lay the points.