UC Irvine vs Cal State-Bakersfield Prediction 12-5-24 College Basketball Picks

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners and the UC Irvine Anteaters meet Thursday in college basketball action from Bren Events Center. Here’s a CSU Bakersfield vs UC Irvine prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best CSU Bakersfield vs UC Irvine pick.

CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners Betting Preview

The Roadrunners have notched a .500 run through eight games so far. The losses have been versus California, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, and Southern Utah. Otherwise, it’s been wins over Bethesda, North Dakota State, Fresno State and Northeastern.

On Saturday versus Southern Utah, the Roadrunners trailed by four points going into the second half. CSU Bakersfield didn’t get any closer in a 74-64 loss. Corey Stephenson led the team with 20 points and two boards in the losing effort. CSU Bakersfield will take on UC San Diego after this one. 

UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Preview

Over on the Anteaters’ side, it’s been a flawless run through eight games so far. UC Irvine has taken out Chapman, LMU, Northern Iowa, Pepperdine, Weber State, Kennesaw State, Kent State, and Towson in succession this year.

The Roadrunners had a little trouble shaking off Towson in their last game but still won in the end. UC Irvine was up by three points at the break and ended up with a 67-60 victory. Devin Tillis posted 25 points with seven rebounds along the way.

Why the UC Irvine Anteaters will win

• UC Irvine has won each of its last 16 games at Bren Events Center.
• Cal State Bakersfield has lost each of its last three games at Bren Events Center.
• UC Irvine has won the first half in nine of its last 10 night games against the Big West Conference.

CSU Bakersfield vs UC Irvine Prediction

I’ll stay with UC Irvine I suppose. The line’s a little on the thick side, though. The Anteaters played a sloppy game (20 turnovers) in their matchup with a middling Towson team but shot well. UC Irvine hit 52.2 percent from the field, 50 percent from the 3-point range, and 92.9 percent (13-of-14) from the line along with a 36-24 rebounding advantage. The Anteaters have a tepid 118 combined points in their last two outings, though.

As for CSUB, they were able to outmuscle Southern Utah 34-30 on the boards in their last appearance, but their 14 turnovers led to 17 Thunderbirds points. This could turn into another messy game if neither team can get their turnover troubles dialed in, but on paper, it should be UC Irvine all the way here.