UIC Flames vs Belmont Bruins NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Flames versus the Bruins? Tip off is at at 5:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Curb Event Center in Nashville, TN. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 157.5 points, and Belmont is favored by -6.5 to win at home against UIC.

UIC FLAMES VS BELMONT BRUINS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UIC Flames +6.5

This game will be played at Curb Event Center at 5:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.

WHY BET THE UIC FLAMES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-71 in favor of the Bruins.
• Even though we have Belmont winning straight-up, we like UIC at +6.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 157.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.

Will UIC Win on the Road?

The Flames improved to 7-4 on the season with a 74-70 win over Drake on Wednesday. UIC, who were +6.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

After trailing 33-32 at halftime, UIC outscored Drake 42-37 in the second half. The total points for the game reached 144, surpassing the O/U line of 129.5.

UIC’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, shooting 57.4% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 66%, with 19 of their 30 two-point attempts finding the mark at a rate of 63.3%.

Bennett Stirtz led the way with 30 points and 12 assists, hitting 4 of 9 from deep. Tyem Freeman was also hot from beyond the arc, connecting on 5 of 7 threes, while Jordan Mason was perfect from long range, hitting both of his attempts and finishing with 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting overall.

UIC Flames gave up 70 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 57% from the field. They allowed 19 two-point field goals on 30 attempts, a 63% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, the opposition hit 8 of 17 threes, shooting 47%. UIC also sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws, shooting 70%.

Can Belmont Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Belmont’s record fell to 8-5 after a 76-70 road loss to Northern Iowa on Wednesday. The Bruins were +5.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 146, which was under the O/U line of 153.5.

Belmont trailed 39-34 at halftime and couldn’t make up the difference in the second half, scoring 36 points while allowing 37.

Belmont’s offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 38.7% overall and 30% from three-point range, hitting 12 of 40 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.4%, and they managed only 5 offensive rebounds.

Jonathan Pierre led the Bruins with 19 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 5 threes on 12 attempts. Carter Whitt contributed 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Tytan Anderson added 18 points. Belmont finished with 17 assists as a team.

Despite Belmont’s defensive efforts, they couldn’t keep their opponent from scoring 76 points. The Bruins allowed a 45% shooting performance, with their opponent hitting 29 of 64 shots.

Belmont struggled to contain two-point shots, as their opponent connected on 26 of 46 attempts (56%). However, the Bruins did limit their opponent’s three-point shooting to just 3 of 18 (16%).