UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Picks and Predictions for Saturday, February 7, 2026
Use Code WWWC The UC Irvine Anteaters will be on the road Saturday night with a game inside the Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, CA, at 10:00 PM against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, and we have you ready to roll with our UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara prediction.UC Irvine has 16 wins and 7 losses entering this game. UC Santa Barbara returns home Saturday night with 15 wins and 8 losses this season. The Anteaters come into this matchup on a 4-game winning streak after scoring 16 point win in their last outing. UC Santa Barbara comes into this matchup following a 10-point road loss in their last game to end a lengthy winning streak.Read more about this UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
UC Irvine tries for 5 in a row
Offensively, UC Irvine is averaging 77.4 points on 46% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, the Anteaters have been top-tier, holding opponents to 67 points per game through 23 games. UC Irvine did the work on the offensive end in their last outing, scoring 78 points after 39 in each half on 41% shooting. Defensively, UC Irvine held their own, giving up only 62 points on 35% shooting from the floor. UC Irvine won the rebounding battle and forced 19 turnovers in the win. Kyle Evans led the way for the UC Irvine offense in their last outing with 16 points on 11 shots.
Jurian Dixon leads the UC Irvine offense this season with 15.4 points per game. Kyle Evans is second on the team with 12.1 points to go along with the team-leading 8.5 rebounds. Derrin Saran is third on the team with 11.4 points per game this season. Tama Isaac averages 7.1 points to go along with the team-leading 4.2 assists.
Key Injury Report for UC Irvine:
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
- None
UC Santa Barbara tries to bounce back
The UC Santa Barbara offense is averaging 79.1 points per game this season on 48% shooting from the floor. Defensively, the Gauchos are allowing 72.3 points per game this year, but gave up an average of 63.75 points per game over their last four wins. Defensively, UC Santa Barbara was outmatched in their last outing, giving up 85 points on 52% shooting, and UC Davis knocked down 10 triples. Offensively, UC Santa Barbara scored 75 points on 49% shooting from the floor. The Gauchos won the rebounding battle by 6, but turned the ball over 13 times in the loss. CJ Shaw led the way for the UC Santa Barbara offense in their last outing with 18 points on 12 shots.
Aidan Mahaney is leading the UC Santa Barbara offense this season, averaging 14.3 points and 2.7 assists per game. Miro Little is contributing with an average of 12 points per game, while CJ Shaw closely follows with 11.8 points. Colin Smith is also performing well, averaging 11.3 points per game, which places him fourth on the team. Additionally, Zion Sensley, the team's big man, averages 10.8 points and leads the team with 7.3 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for UC Santa Barbara:
- Jason Fontenet II (Out) - Knee
UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Pick
- UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Spread Pick
Both teams are playing good basketball thus far this season as each is competing at the top of the conference. UC Irvine, however, has the better defense and currently sits #1 in the Big West. Look for UC Irvine to continue their winning ways Saturday night against a good UC Santa Barbara team. Take the anteaters to control this game on both sides of the ball, as their elite defense will stifle the Gauchos. UC Irvine gets their fifth win in a row Saturday night with a road victory against UC Santa Barbara.
- UC Irvine vs UC Santa Barbara Over/Under Pick
Both teams score well, averaging nearly 80 points per game, despite solid offenses; each has an elite defense that will control this matchup. Look for a defensive slugfest as two teams compete for a high seat in the conference. Take the under on Saturday night as the UC Irvine Anteaters visit UC Santa Barbara.
Betting on College Basketball?
- Join Winners and Whiners premium for free and get a free $30 coupon with code FREE30
- Get started and wager on college hoops today with our favorite online sportsbooks
- Claim a CBB betting bonus offer with the best sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
