Hawai’i vs UC Riverside Prediction 2/27/25 College Basketball Picks Today

The UC Riverside Highlanders and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors meet on Thursday in college basketball action at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Here’s a UC Riverside vs Hawaii Prediction. This article will include a UC Riverside vs Hawaii Pick.

UC Riverside Highlanders Betting Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders (18-11, 16-10-1 ATS) are playing very well lately they won eight of the last 11 games. After recording their seventh consecutive home victory, the Highlanders fell short of Cal Poly in overtime on the road. It was the first time UC Riverside reached a 100-point mark this year, but they did allow 112 in a loss. UC Riverside is 4th in the Big West Standings with 3.5 games behind UC San Diego.

UC Riverside averages 74.4 PPG (180th) and allows 73.8 PPG (241st). The Highlanders are 82nd in rebounds (37.7) and 251st in assists (13.2). Barrington Hargress leads the team with 20.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, a team-high 3.9 APG, and a team-high 1.1 SPG. Isaiah Moses follows him with 11.4 PPG and 2.9 APG, while Kaleb Smith has 10.8 PPG and 4.5 RPG.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Betting Preview

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (14-13, 10-14-1 ATS) are struggling at the moment; they lost seven of the previous nine games, including the last two to UC Irvine and UC San Diego. In those two, Hawaii combined for a miserable 93 points, while against UC San Diego, the Rainbow Warriors scored a season-low 44 points. Hawaii is 7th in the Big West Standings and there is no way the Rainbow Warriors can move up.

Hawaii Rainbow is averaging 69.7 PPG (308th) and is allowing 70.3 PPG (134th). The Rainbow Warriors are getting 35.6 RPG (198th) and dish out 11.6 APG (380th). Gytis Nemeiksa is the team’s top scorer with 11.6 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Tanner Christensen adds 10.7 PPG and a team-high 6.9 RPG, while Ryan Rapp contributes 8.0 PPG and 4.0 RPG.

Why UC Riverside will beat Hawaii

• UC Riverside has won seven of its last eight games following a road loss.
• Hawaii has lost four of its last five games.
• UC Riverside has won the first half in three of its last four games against the Big West Conference.

Matchup/League Facts

• Hawaii ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.7).
• Hawaii ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (29.7).
• UC Riverside ranks 30th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.6).
• UC Riverside ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.5).

UC Riverside vs Hawaii Prediction

Hawaii did win five of the last six H2H duels, including the first meeting of the season, but UC Riverside is currently in better form, and I am leaning toward the Highlanders here. Hawaii is struggling offensively, and after failing to reach a 50-point mark in the last two games, I don’t have confidence in its offense. Although they will likely be good for 60+ in this one, the Rainbow Warriors seem a bit lost, which is a strong opportunity for the visitors to strike. Back UC Riverside.