UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs UC Irvine Anteaters Picks and Predictions for Saturday, February 28, 2026

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos will be on the road Saturday night with a game in Irvine, CA at 10:30 PM against the UC Irvine Anteaters, and we have you ready to roll with our UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine prediction.  UC Santa Barbara comes into this matchup Saturday night with eighteen wins and 11 losses overall. UC Irvine stays home Saturday with nineteen wins and 10 losses this season. The UC Irvine Anteaters come into this matchup on a three-game losing streak following a three-point road loss in overtime to Hawaii. UC Irvine comes into this matchup having lost three of the last five, following a 2-point loss in their last outing to end a 2 game-winning streak.  Read more about this UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!

UC Santa Barbara tries to end skid

The UC Santa Barbara offense has averaged 79.2 points on 47% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, the Gauchos are allowing 73.1 points per game this season, but giving up an average of 84 points per game over their last three losses. Offensively, UC Santa Barbara scored the ball well in their last outing, pouring in 75 points on 43% shooting. Defensively, the Gauchos were just outmatched, giving up 78 points on 43% shooting. UC Santa Barbara pulled in 35 rebounds but turned the ball over 12 times, leading to the loss. Colin Smith led the way for the center but offense in their last outing with 19 points on eight shots.

Aidan Mahaney leads the UC Santa Barbara offense this season, averaging 15.2 points and 2.9 assists per game. CJ Shaw averages 12.4 points, and Colin Smith averages 12 points per game. Miro Little also averages 12 points per game this season, but he has played just 16 times. Zion averaged 10.9 points and leads the team, pulling in 7.6 rebounds per game.

Key Injury Report for UC Santa Barbara:

• Miro Little (Questionable) - Undisclosed
• Jason Fontenet (Out) – Knee

UC Irvine looks to get back rolling

The UC Irvine offense has been solid this season, averaging 77 points on 46% shooting from the floor. Defensively, UC Irvine has been elite, holding opponents to 67.7 points per game this season, but has allowed an average of 78 points over their last three losses. Offensively, UC Irvine was terrible in their last outing, scoring just 69 points on 42% shooting, 44% from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Anteaters were just outmatched, giving up 71 points on 44% shooting. UC Irvine pulled in 36 rebounds, but turned the ball over 8 times in the loss. Jurian Dixon led the way for the UC Irvine offense with 22 points and four assists on 18 shots.

Jurian Dixon leads the UC Irvine offense this season, averaging 15.6 points per game. Kyle Evans is second on the team with 12.2 points, along with the team-leading 8.8 rebounds. Darren Saran averages 11.3 points, good enough for 3rd on the team. Tama Isaac averages 6.8 points and leads the team, dishing out 4.3 assists this year.

Key Injury Report for UC Irvine:

• None

UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine Pick

• UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine Spread Pick

Both teams come into this game struggling, looking to get back on track. UC Irvine will have the edge in this matchup, as they are the better overall team with much more to play for. UC Irvine is currently tied for the top spot in the Big West and will do the work in this matchup Saturday night. The Anteaters allow 6 fewer points per game and will depend on their defense and home fans on Saturday. Take UC Irvine to extend the UC Santa Barbara losing streak as the Anteaters get to win and cover at home Saturday night.

• UC Santa Barbara vs UC Irvine Over/Under Pick

Each team comes into this game struggling, but has still been prone to lower-scoring games. Look for a defensive battle to break out between two teams desperate for a win. Expect a back-and-forth affair on the defensive end Saturday, making every possession tough. Take the under on Saturday night as the UC Irvine Anteaters to get the win and cover at home against UC Santa Barbara.