Cal Poly Mustangs vs UC Irvine Anteaters NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/18/25
The Mustangs and Anteaters are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Anteaters will host the game at Bren Events Center in Irvine, CA. This Big West conference matchup has an over/under of 150.5 points, and UC Irvine is favored to win by -13.5 at home vs. Cal Poly.
CAL POLY MUSTANGS VS UC IRVINE ANTEATERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Cal Poly Mustangs +13.5
This game will be played at Bren Events Center at 10:00 ET on Saturday, January 18th.
WHY BET THE CAL POLY MUSTANGS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-70 in favor of the Anteaters.
- Even though we have UC Irvine winning straight-up, we like Cal Poly at +13.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Is a Win at Irvine Possible for the Mustangs?
Cal Poly Mustangs Recent Game/Games
The Mustangs fell to 5-13 on the season after a 65-54 loss to UC Davis on Thursday. Cal Poly, who were -5.5 favorites at home, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread.
Cal Poly trailed 31-26 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the second half, scoring 28 points while allowing 34. The game’s total points of 119 fell well short of the O/U line of 156.5.
Cal Poly’s offense struggled in their last game, scoring just 54 points on 34.7% shooting from the field. They hit 11 of 31 three-point attempts, good for 35.5%, and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 44.9%.
Ty Johnson led the Mustangs with 21 points, shooting 35.0% overall and 42.9% from beyond the arc. Pablo Tamba was efficient, hitting 8 of 9 shots, while Isaac Jessup connected on 4 threes, shooting 50.0% from deep.
Cal Poly’s defense held their opponent to 65 points on 34% shooting from the field, including 33% from two-point range (6/18). They also limited their opponent’s free-throw attempts, who went 9/12 from the line.
From beyond the arc, Cal Poly’s opponent shot 35%, hitting 11 of 31 three-point attempts. The Mustangs gave up 13 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can the Anteaters Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
UC Irvine Anteaters Recent Game/Games
UC Irvine improved to 15-2 on the season with an 82-62 win over Cal State Fullerton on Thursday. The Anteaters, who were -19.5 favorites, covered the spread in the victory.
Leading 45-31 at halftime, UC Irvine scored 37 points in the 2nd half while allowing 31. The game’s total points of 144 went over the 136.5 O/U line.
UC Irvine put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 40.9% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 30 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.5%, and they connected on 67.9% of their free throws, going 19 for 28 from the line.
The Anteaters dished out 21 assists and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. Bent Leuchten led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 61.5% overall and 60% from three, hitting 3 of 5 attempts. Zion Richardson also contributed, going 3 for 4 from deep and finishing with 14 points and 11 boards.
UC Irvine’s defense held their opponent to 62 points, with a 40% shooting performance on 27 of 66 attempts. Inside the arc, their opponent shot 50%, converting 18 of 36 two-point attempts.
From three-point range, UC Irvine’s defense limited their opponent to 9 of 30 shooting, or 30%. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 28 times, where they made 19, shooting 67%. UC Irvine allowed 12 offensive rebounds.