UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Riverside Highlanders Picks and Predictions for Thursday January 22 2026
Use Code WWWC The UC Irvine Anteaters travel to face the UC Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with tip-off scheduled for 10:00 PM EST at SRC Arena. This Big West Conference matchup will be televised on ESPN+. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not available. The total is set at 140.5 points, while the spread lists UC Irvine as a 9.5-point road favorite. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insight and analysis.
Anteaters Looking to Rebound on the Road
UC Irvine Anteaters come into this matchup with a 12-7 overall record and have been competitive away from home this season. Over their last five games, the Anteaters have recently lost to UC Davis and Hawaii on the road, but have also recently won over Long Beach State at home and picked up road wins against Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Bakersfield. That stretch shows a team capable of winning in hostile environments despite a couple of close setbacks.
From a statistical standpoint, UC Irvine is averaging 77.6 points per game while allowing just 67.2 points per contest. They are shooting 47 percent from the field and dominate the glass with 40.1 rebounds per game, while also averaging 16.3 assists per outing. Defensively, they add 6.3 blocks and 7.1 steals per game, making them one of the more disruptive teams in the conference.
One area that continues to stand out for the Anteaters is their defensive consistency. Holding opponents well below their scoring averages has been a key reason for their success, and that defensive identity tends to travel well on the road.
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Highlanders Trying to Hold Serve at Home
UC Riverside Highlanders enter this contest with a 7-12 overall record and have struggled to find rhythm, particularly against stronger competition. In their last five games, the Highlanders have recently won over Cal State Fullerton at home, but have also recently lost to Long Beach State, UC San Diego, Cal State Bakersfield, and Hawaii. That run highlights ongoing issues with consistency on both ends of the floor.
Statistically, UC Riverside is averaging 72.1 points per game while allowing 77.8 points per contest. They are shooting 45 percent from the field and averaging 34.1 rebounds per game, along with 12.5 assists per outing. Defensively, they contribute 3.9 blocks and 4.9 steals per game, but those numbers have not consistently translated into stops.
The Highlanders’ biggest challenge has been defensive efficiency. Allowing nearly 78 points per game has made it difficult for them to keep pace with more balanced teams, especially when offensive execution slips.
UC Irvine vs UC Riverside Pick
UC Irvine vs UC Riverside Pick
- Pick: UC Irvine -9.5
UC Irvine holds clear advantages in defense, rebounding, and overall efficiency, which makes them the stronger side despite being on the road. Their ability to control tempo and limit scoring opportunities should allow them to gradually pull away, making the spread the preferred option in this matchup.
UC Irvine vs UC Riverside Total Pick
- Pick: Under 140.5
I’m backing the under because UC Irvine’s defensive style naturally slows games down and limits easy looks. With the Anteaters allowing just over 67 points per game and UC Riverside struggling offensively against disciplined defenses, this matchup sets up for extended half-court possessions and fewer transition opportunities.
Final Score Prediction: UC Irvine 74, UC Riverside 62
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