California vs UIC Prediction 3/18/26 College Basketball Picks Today

The UIC Flames and the Cal Golden Bears meet Wednesday in college basketball action from the Haas Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UIC Flames vs. Cal Golden Bears prediction.

UIC Flames Recap

The UIC Flames come into this game looking to rebound from their 84-69 loss at the hands of Northern Iowa in the MVC tournament.

Flames Making First Postseason Appearance In 20 Years

Elijah Crawford leads the Flames with 14.1 PPG and 4.6 APG along with 2.9 RPG while Ahmad Henderson II has 12.1 PPG with 2.2 APG. Andy Johnson has 11.4 PPG with 3.5 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for UIC so far this season while Mekhi Lowery has 8.1 PPG with 5.8 RPG to lead the Flames in rebounding. Rashund Washington Jr. also has 8.5 PPG with 5 RPG and Abdul Momoh has 7.8 PPG with 3.8 RPG. As a team, UIC is averaging 75.5 PPG on 45.5% shooting from the field, 32.3% from three and 73% from the foul line so far this season.

Why the UIC Flames will win

• California has lost three of its last four games.

Cal Golden Bears Recap

The Cal Golden Bears come into this game trying to shake off a 95-69 loss at the hands of Florida State in the ACC tournament.

Cal In NIT For First Time Since 2017

Dai Dai Ames leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 17.2 PPG with 2.2 APG while John Camden has 13.8 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Justin Pippen has 14.3 PPG with 3.9 RPG and a team-high 4.5 APG to lead the Golden Bears in assists. Chris Bell has 13.4 PPG with 2.5 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Cal so far this season. Lee Dort also has 8.3 PPG with a team-high 8 RPG to lead the Golden Bears in rebounding as well this season. As a team, Cal is averaging 77.9 PPG on 44.3% shooting from the field, 36.1% from three and 77.9% from the foul line so far this season.

Why the California Golden Bears will win

• California has won each of its last 11 games against non-Conference opponents at Haas Pavilion.
• UIC has lost each of its last four games against non-Conference opponents.

UIC Flames vs. Cal Golden Bears Prediction

I’m on UIC and the points here. I just think that while both teams will come out motivated here, I think there’s some level of expectation for Cal as the power conference team here. UIC’s defense was legit and the Flames were somewhat battle tested in the non-conference portion of their schedule and I think this one’s a battle if UIC doesn’t win outright. Give me UIC and the points.