UIC Flames vs California Golden Bears Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Use Code WWWC The UIC Flames will be out West Wednesday night with the game in Berkeley, CA, inside Haas Pavilion at 11:00 PM against the California Golden Bears, and we have you ready to roll with our UIC Vs California prediction. UIC comes into the NIT tournament with nineteen wins and 15 losses on the year. California returns home with a record of 21 wins and 11 losses. UIC has won three of the last five overall following the 15-point loss in their last outing. California limps into the NIT tournament after dropping three of the last four, including two in a row, after a six-point loss to Florida State in the ACC tournament. Read more about this UIC Vs California prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
UIC looks for the upset
The UIC offense has carried the team this season, averaging 75.5 points on 45% shooting from the floor. Defensively, UIC is allowing 70 points per game this season, but has given up an average of 81.5 points over its last two losses. Offensively, UIC was bad in their last outing, scoring just 69 points on 44% shooting and 35% from beyond the arc. Defensively, UIC was obliterated, giving up 84 points, including 48 in the first half, as Northern Iowa shot 63% from the floor and 52% from beyond the arc. The Flames lost the rebounding battle by 4 and turned the ball over five times in the game.
Ahmad Henderson leads UIC this season, averaging 12.1 points and 2.2 assists per game. Elijah Crawford has averaged 14.1 points per game this season, but has played just 22 times. Andy Johnson is third on the roster, with 11.4 points per game. Big man Mekhi Lowery averages 8.1 points to go along with the team-leading 5.8 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for UIC:
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- None
California looks for the home victory
The California Golden Bears offense has averaged 77.9 points per game on 44% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, California is allowing 73.3 points per game this year, but has given up an average of 82.3 points per game over their last three losses and 87.5 points per game during their current 2-game losing streak. Offensively, California did score the ball well in their last outing, pouring in 89 points on 51% shooting and 41% from beyond the arc. Defensively, California was outmatched, giving up 95 points on 57% shooting. California won the rebounding battle by double digits, but turned the ball over 12 times in the loss.
Dai Dai Ames leads the California offense this season, averaging 17.2 points per game. Justin Pippen is 2nd on the roster, averaging 14.3 points to go along with the team-leading 4.5 assists. John Camden averages 13.8 points, and Chris Bell averages 13.4 points per game. Lee Dort is averaging 8.3 points to go along with a team-high 8 rebounds per game this year.
Key Injury Report for California:
- Stephon Marbury II (Questionable) – Undisclosed
- Jovani Ruff (Questionable) – Undisclosed
- Rytis Petraitis (Questionable) – Undisclosed
UIC Vs California Pick
- UIC Vs California Spread Pick
California is a much better team in this matchup and will get back to their winning ways on Wednesday. Look for the Golden Bears to jump on USC from the opening minutes, leading to the easy victory. Take California to use their edge on both sides of the ball to overwhelm UIC and secure the victory. The California Golden Bears open the NIT tournament Wednesday night with a win and cover at home.
UIC vs California Over/Under Pick
Both teams score well, and each has been giving up a ton of points lately. Look for those trends to continue Wednesday night as this game gets out to a hot start early on. Despite the early start, California will weather the storm down the stretch and lead to victory. Look for California to lean on its defense and home fans to stifle UIC on Wednesday night. Take the under on Wednesday as the California Golden Bears get the home win and cover to open the postseason.
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