UC Irvine Anteaters vs
Belmont BruinsPredictions & Preview

Belmont Bruins Set to Take on UC Irvine Anteaters in Highly Anticipated College Basketball Showdown

On Thursday night, the Belmont Bruins (9-2) will be facing off against the UC Irvine Anteaters (9-1) in a highly anticipated college basketball game. UC Irvine will be looking to rebound from their first loss of the season to Oregon State, while Belmont is coming off of five consecutive wins, including a recent victory over Richmond. The sportsbook promotions have UC Irvine listed as the betting favorite with a -3 opening line that has remained steady.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Anteaters -160 | Bruins +132
• Spread: Anteaters -3 (-110) | Bruins +3 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 150 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that UC Irvine will win straight-up is 62%.

UC Irvine vs Belmont Stats

UC Irvine Anteaters

UC Irvine's basketball team has shown exceptional defensive prowess this season, ranking as one of the top defensive teams in the nation. Led by senior Bent Leuchten, who leads the team in scoring and rebounds, the Anteaters have a solid record of 9-1 this season. Despite suffering a recent loss to Oregon State, the team has performed well against the spread. Offensively, UC Irvine boasts a high field goal percentage and excellent free throw shooting. The team's defensive stats are equally impressive, with strong rankings in field goal percentage allowed and three-point defense. Overall, UC Irvine's performance this season has been commendable, and they are a strong contender in college basketball.

Belmont Bruins Analysis

Belmont Bruins is currently ranked 132nd overall by KenPom, with an offense ranked 83rd and a defense ranked 236th. They have faced a strength of schedule ranked 280th and have a record of 6-3-1 against the spread. The over has hit in 8 out of their 10 games. In their recent game against Richmond, the Bruins covered as a two-point favorite, with five players reaching double figures. Senior Jonathan Pierre led the team with 29 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Overall, Belmont has five players averaging over 11 points per game, with Pierre leading with 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Their offense is hitting 47.68% of field goals and 36.96% of three-pointers, while defensively allowing 45.30% of field goals and 36.53% of three-pointers. With a ranking of 106 in power rankings and a strong offense, Belmont is a team to watch in NCAAB betting picks.

Belmont's Three-Point Offense Faces UC Irvine's Tough Defense in Close Matchup

Belmont is expected to employ an up-tempo, three-point heavy offense, while UC Irvine aims to disrupt the game flow and rely on their strong defensive abilities. Although UC Irvine boasts an impressive defense, betting on them to win by more than one possession on the road may be a risky move. Belmont has proven themselves capable of performing well as underdogs, securing victories against Lipscomb and Tulane this season. Additionally, the Bruins have excelled in three-point shooting, ranking 44th in the nation. With both teams having a chance at winning the game, it would be prudent to take advantage of the 3.5 points offered for Belmont as the home underdog.

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