Hawaii vs UC Irvine 1/14/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UC Irvine Anteaters will travel to the Stan Sheriff Center to take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The UC Irvine Anteaters snapped a 3-game losing streak and improved to 6-4 on the season after defeating the UC Riverside Highlanders, 68-51, this past Saturday. UC Irvine trailed by a 29-28 margin at halftime, however, the Anteaters dominated the Highlanders on both ends of the court in the 2^nd half and had no trouble pulling away for the victory after taking a 55-41 lead with 6:50 left in regulation. UC Irvine shot 51.0% from the field & 36.4% from beyond the arc while holding UC Riverside to 38.5% from the field & 15.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Anteaters was Collin Welp who had 30 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, & 2 steals.

On the season, UC Irvine is averaging 68.4 ppg on 44.3% shooting from the field. The Anteaters are averaging 5.5 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UC Irvine has been led by Collin Welp (15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.7 apg), DJ Davis (8.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg), JC Butler (7.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg), & Justin Hohn (7.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, UC Irvine is holding their opponents to an average of 57.5 ppg on 36.9% shooting from the field. The Anteaters have a rebound margin of 5.4 and a turnover margin of 0.3.

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors snapped a 2-game losing streak and improved to 5-5 on the season after defeating the Long Beach State Beach, 72-67, this past Saturday. Hawaii led by a 32-27 margin at halftime and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half for the victory after taking a 54-39 lead with 11:42 left in regulation. Hawaii shot 42.9% from the field & 44.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Long Beach State to shoot 37.5% from the field & 46.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Rainbow Warriors was Noel Coleman who had 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.

On the season, Hawaii is averaging 74.6 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field. The Rainbow Warriors are averaging 9.6 three-pointers per game on 37.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Hawaii has been led by Noel Coleman (18.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg), Bernardo da Silva (13.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Jerome Desrosiers (11.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.7 apg), & Junior Madut (10.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg).

Defensively, Hawaii is allowing their opponents to average 69.4 ppg on 43.1% shooting from the field. The Rainbow Warriors have a rebound margin of 4.2 and a turnover margin of -2.8.

The Anteaters are 5-3 ATS on the season, however, are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. following an ATS win.  The Rainbow Warriors are 4-4 ATS on the season, however, are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

UC Irvine has been led by their defense that ranks 8^th in scoring defense & 6^th in defensive FG%, however, the offense has struggled a bit as they come into this matchup ranked just 263^rd in scoring offense. Hawaii has been led by their offense which ranks 124^th in scoring offense, 114^th in FG%, & 39^th in 3P-FG%, however, the defense has had some issues and come into this game ranked 197^th in scoring defense & 215^th in defensive FG%.

UC Irvine is a great defensive team, however, making the trip to Hawaii is always tough. Hawaii got an important piece of their lineup back with Bernardo da Silva returning last game and as I think the Rainbow Warriors will be able to have enough offensive success on their home court to keep this one competitive, I’m taking Hawaii and the points. Good Luck!