UC Irvine Anteaters vs California Baptist Lancers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/30/24

The Anteaters and Lancers are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Lancers will host the game at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center in Riverside, CA. UC Irvine is the -4.5 point favorites in this non-conference matchup against California Baptist. The over/under for the game is set at 142.5 points.

UC IRVINE ANTEATERS VS CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: California Baptist Lancers +4.5

This game will be played at Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler Events Center at 10:00 ET on Monday, December 30th.

WHY BET THE CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Lancers.
• Not only will California Baptist pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +4.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Are the Anteaters Ready for a Road Win?

UC Irvine Anteaters Recent Game/Games

UC Irvine dropped to 9-2 on the season after a 70-54 road loss to Duquesne on Saturday. The Anteaters, who were favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 124, falling short of the 132.5 O/U line.

After trailing 43-24 at halftime, UC Irvine tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, outscoring Duquesne 30-27, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.

UC Irvine struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 54 points while shooting 34% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 37.7%, and they hit only 34.1% of their two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, the Anteaters connected on 4 of 12 threes, shooting 33.3%.

Jahsean Corbett led the way with 15 points and 8 rebounds, hitting 3 of 6 from deep. Tre Dinkins III and Cam Crawford both added 13 points, each knocking down 3 of 4 threes. Dinkins also contributed 4 assists, while UC Irvine finished with 10 assists and 15 offensive rebounds as a team.

UC Irvine’s defense struggled from beyond the arc, allowing 14 threes on 25 attempts, which contributed to the 70 points they gave up. Overall, the Anteaters allowed the opposing team to shoot 49% from the field, including 43% on two-point shots.

On the free-throw line, UC Irvine sent their opponents to the stripe just four times, where they converted 2 of their attempts. The Anteaters also gave up 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Will the Lancers Pull Through as the Home Underdog?

California Baptist Lancers Recent Game/Games

California Baptist improved to 7-6 on the season with a 79-73 win over Jackson State on Saturday. The Lancers were -14 favorites at home, but they didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 152 went over the O/U line of 142.5.

Trailing 34-33 at halftime, California Baptist turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Jackson State 46-39 to secure the win.

California Baptist put up 79 points in their last game, shooting 41.5% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 22 attempts for a 22.7% rate, while their effective field goal percentage was 45.3%. At the free-throw line, they were strong, making 30 of 36 attempts for an 83.3% success rate.

The Lancers grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 12 assists. Dominique Daniels Jr. led the way with 25 points and 5 assists, despite going 0 for 4 from three. Martel Williams and Dorian McMillian both shot 60% from the field, with Williams hitting 3 of 5 threes and McMillian connecting on 2 of 3 from deep.

Defensively, California Baptist allowed 73 points while holding their opponent to 41% shooting from the field. The Lancers gave up 17 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 54% success rate for the opposition.

From beyond the arc, California Baptist limited their opponent to just 5 three-pointers on 22 attempts, a 22% shooting performance. The Lancers also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 36 times, where they converted 30 free throws, an 83% rate. California Baptist allowed 15 offensive rebounds.