The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and UC Irvine Anteaters meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Bren Events Center. Here’s a Cal Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction. This article will include a Cal Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Pick.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Betting Preview
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos beat Cal State Bakersfield and Hawaii, and they play UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton, and Long Beach next. The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are averaging 74.8 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 66.8 points on 41.7 percent shooting. Stephan Swenson is averaging 13.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Kenny Pohto is averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds. Jason Fontenet II is the third double-digit scorer and Deuce Turner is grabbing 1.9 rebounds. The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and 75.3 percent from the free throw line. The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are allowing 32 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32 rebounds per game.
UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters beat UC Davis, lost to UC San Diego, and they play Hawaii, Cal State Northrdige, and Cal State Bakersfield next. The UC Irvine Anteaters are averaging 75.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 66 points on 38.9 percent shooting. Bent Leuchten is averaging 16 points and 1.9 assists, while Devin Tillis is averaging 13.3 points and 2 assists. Myles Che is the third double-digit scorer and Justin Hohn is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The UC Irvine Anteaters are shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 80.8 percent from the free throw line. The UC Irvine Anteaters are allowing 32.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36 rebounds per game.
Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win
- UC Irvine has won 22 of its last 23 games at Bren Events Center.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost seven of its last eight games at Bren Events Center.
- UC Santa Barbara has lost the first half in each of its last eight games at Bren Events Center.
Why the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will win
- UC Santa Barbara has won four of its last five games.
- UC Santa Barbara has won the first half in four of its last five games against the Big West Conference.
Matchup/League Facts
- UC Irvine ranks 5th 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 (9.4).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.9).
- UC Santa Barbara ranks 9th among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (39.4%).
UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Injury Report
Neither UC Irvine nor UC Santa Barbara have a player listed on its injury report.
Cal Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Prediction
The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are a decent team that’s worth a look in the underdog role, and they’ve won six road games. The problem is UC Santa Barbara has covered just three of its last 10 games and at times has had issues defensively when stepping up in competition. The UC Irvine Anteaters are just more consistent at both ends of the floor, and they’re 8-1 SU at home as well as 15-8 ATS on the season. UC Irvine is the team to beat in the Big West, and the Anteaters cash tickets. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I’ll lay the points with UC Irvine.