Santa Clara vs UC Riverside Prediction 3/18/25 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Santa Clara vs UC Riverside prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, March 18th at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 1st Round of the NIT. 

Santa Clara Broncos Betting Preview

The Santa Clara Broncos are 20-12 (12-6) this season after they lost to Pepperdine by a score of 78-76 in their last game. Santa Clara led 40-36 at halftime, but they were outscored 42-36 in the second half for the loss. The Broncos shot 40.6% from the field, 35.3% on three pointers, and 75% on free throws in the game. Tyeree Bryan led Santa Clara with 18 points and four rebounds, while Brenton Knapper added 17 points and two assists in the game. 

Prior to that upset loss, the Broncos defeated Pacific by a score of 97-66, but did lose to Gonzaga by a score of 95-76 before that. Santa Clara has won three of their last five games and they finished fourth in the WCC standings with a 12-6 record. The Broncos didn’t play a great non-conference schedule, but they do have wins against TCU, Bradley, and McNeese. Santa Clara has scored 81.3 points per game and they have allowed 72.8 points against per game, while also averaging 37.9 rebounds and 16.8 assists per game this season. Adama-Alpha Bal is averaging 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, while Christoph Tilly is averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game this year. Santa Clara is shooting 46.7% from the field, 72.8% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this season. 

UC Riverside Highlanders Betting Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders are 21-12 (14-6) this year after they lost to Cal Poly by a score of 96-83 in their last game. UC Riverside trailed 45-36 at halftime and allowed 51 points in the second half in the loss. The Highlanders shot 45.3% from the field, 28.1% on three pointers, and 80% on free throws in the game. Isaiah Moses led UC Riverside with 30 points and four rebounds, while Barrington Hargress added 21 points and five assists in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Highlanders defeated Cal State Fullerton by a score of 64-59 and Cal State Northridge by a score of 94-79. UC Riverside has won three of their last four games and they finished tied for third in the Big West standings with a 14-6 record. The Highlanders have non-conference losses against Oregon by 15 points and BYU by six points, but they did beat Colorado State by a score of 77-75. UC Riverside has scored 75.2 points per game and they have allowed 74.2 points against per game, while also averaging 37.5 rebounds and 13.0 assists per game this season. Barrington Hargress is averaging 20.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while Isaiah Moses is averaging 12.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this year. UC Riverside is shooting 42.7% from the field, 75.4% on free throws, and 33.8% on three pointers this season. 

Why Santa Clara will beat UC Riverside

• Santa Clara has won each of its last eight night games against the Big West Conference.
• UC Riverside has lost 12 of its last 14 road games against non-Conference opponents.
• UC Riverside has lost the first half in each of its last 11 night games against the West Coast Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of Santa Clara’s last 19 games against the Big West Conference Conference have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.
• Thirty-six of UC Riverside’s last 41 night games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Santa Clara ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (10.8).
• Santa Clara ranks 20th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (28.8).
• UC Riverside ranks T17th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.3).
• UC Riverside ranks T31st among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.3).

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Santa Clara vs UC Riverside Prediction 

Santa Clara comes into this matchup after a pretty successful season in the WCC, but they were upset in the tournament by Pepperdine, which was a terrible loss. UC Riverside was also upset in their conference tournament and their defense has allowed at least 76 points in four of their last five games. We have seen Santa Clara score a bunch of points against some lesser teams this year and I don’t think this will be any exception. The Broncos did beat the Highlanders by a score of 96-54 at the beginning of the season and I expect another big win here. Take Santa Clara to cover.