UC Irvine vs UC-Santa Barbara Prediction Basketball Picks 2-22-24

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and the UC Irvine Anteaters meet Thursday in college basketball action from Bren Events Center. UC Santa Barbara is currently 14-11 overall after a win versus Hawaii on Saturday. As for UC Irvine, they beat CSU Bakersfield in their last game to improve to 19-7 on the year. Let’s get into our UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Irvine prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos

The Gauchos started out the year on a sketchy 7-6 run, but the then hit four straight wins in early January. UC Santa Barbara is just 3-5 in their last eight games though, falling to CSU Fullerton, UC Davis, UC Irvine, CSU Northridge and UC San Diego during that time.

On Saturday versus Hawaii, the Gauchos got back into the win column after a three-game losing streak. UC Santa Barbara hit a 34-25 deficit in the first half, then closed on 52 more points in a comeback win 77-71. Lead scorer Ajay Mitchell posted 23 points with five assists in the win.

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UC Irvine Anteaters

Over on the UC Irvine side, they only lost six of their first 24 outings this year. Those half-dozen defeats came courtesy of San Jose State, Duquesne, Utah State, San Diego State, New Mexico and UC Davis. After another loss to UC Riverside, the Anteaters bounced back with a win over CSU Bakersfield.

In their Saturday game versus the Roadrunners, the Anteaters came out of the locker room with a 39-33 edge. UC Irvine kept the pace from there on 38 more points in a 77-71 win. Leading the charge was Bent Leuchten with 14 points, four steals and three blocks.

ANDREW’S FREE UC SANTA BARBARA VS UC IRVINE PREDICTION

I’ll stay with the Anteaters. UC Irvine is playing pretty well during this current 6-1 run and coming off a solid win over CSU Bakersfield despite shooting a tepid 42.3 percent from the field and 3-of-15 (20 percent) from outside. The Anteaters were saved by a nice 30-of-35 (85.7 percent) from the line in that one, and bagged 20 points off 15 Roadrunners turnovers.

In the last meeting between these teams back on February 8, UC Irvine secured a 76-61 road victory. The Anteaters shot a nice 53.2 percent in that one with 31 rebounds and just seven turnovers. I like another good performance in the home rematch on the way to a UC Irvine cover.