In this article we will formulate a UC Irvine vs UAB prediction for this College Basketball game on Wednesday, March 26th at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the Quarterfinals of the NIT.
UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters are 30-6 (17-3) this season after they defeated Jacksonville State by a score of 66-61 in their last game. UC Irvine led 36-35 at halftime and they held Jacksonville State to just 26 points in the second half for the win. The Anteaters shot 39.7% from the field, 34.6% on three pointers, and 84.6% on free throws in the game. Justin Hohn led UC Irvine with 22 points and three rebounds, while Myles Che added 11 points and one assist in the game.
Prior to that win, the Anteaters defeated Northern Colorado by a score of 82-72, but did lose to UC San Diego by a score of 75-61 before that. UC Irvine has won eight of their last nine games and they finished second in the Big West standings with a 17-3 record. UC Irvine has scored 75.8 points per game and they have allowed 66.2 points against per game, while also averaging 38 rebounds and 15.7 assists per game this season. Bent Leuchten is averaging 15.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while Devin Tillis is averaging 13.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this season. UC Irvine is shooting 45.5% from the field, 80.6% on free throws, and 35.2% on three pointers this year.
UAB Blazers Betting Preview
The UAB Blazers are 24-12 (13-5) this year after they defeated Santa Clara by a score of 88-84 in their last game. UAB trailed 44-37 at halftime, but they scored 51 points in the second half for the win. The Blazers shot 43.3% from the field, 45.8% on three pointers, and 73.1% on free throws in the game. Yaxel Lendeborg led UAB with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Coleman added 21 points and six rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, the Blazers defeated St. Joe’s by a score of 69-65, but did lose to Memphis by a score of 84-72 before that. UAB has won four of their last five games and they finished third in the American standings with a 13-5 record. UAB has scored 82.3 points per game and they have allowed 76.1 points against per game, while also averaging 39.9 rebounds and 16.1 assists per game this season. Yaxel Lendeborg is averaging 17.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Christian Coleman is averaging 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game this year. UAB is shooting 46.1% from the field, 76.1% on free throws, and 33.9% on three pointers this season.
Why UAB will beat UC Irvine
- UAB has won each of its last 13 Wednesday games against non-Conference opponents.
- UAB has won the first half in 21 of its last 24 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eighty-four of UC Irvine’s last 88 games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 160 or fewer points.
- Five of UAB’s last six games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 161+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UC Irvine ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.2%).
- UC Irvine ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (13.5).
- UAB ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (65.7).
- UAB ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (30.5).
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UC Irvine vs UAB Prediction
UC Irvine had a fantastic regular season in the Big West conference and they only have six losses on the season, but this will be a very tough test for them. The Anteaters have won eight of their last nine games, but they did struggle to get by Jacksonville State last time out. UAB has won four of their last five games and they had a huge second half against Santa Clara in their last victory. UC Irvine has the much better defensive numbers on the season, but I think they are going to struggle to get stops here. UAB’s offense has been rolling over the last five weeks and I think that offense will keep them in this game. Take the Blazers with the points.