UC Irvine Anteaters (11-5) vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-6)
January 11, 2024 11:59 pm EDT
The Line: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors +2.5 / UC Irvine Anteaters -2.5; Over/Under: 135.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UC Irvine Anteaters will play the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in a Big West game on Thursday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. UC Irvine has won four games in a row, while Hawaii has lost four of their last five. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the UC Irvine vs Hawaii prediction.
UC Irvine Preview
The UC Irvine Anteaters are 11-5 (4-0) this year after they defeated UC Davis in overtime by a score of 74-71 in their last game. UC Irvine trailed 32-31 at halftime, but they were able to tie the game and get the win in overtime. The Anteaters shot 42% from the field and were +16 in rebounding margin in the game. UC Irvine has also defeated Cal State Fullerton, Bakersfield, and UC Riverside during this winning streak. The Anteaters are scoring 78 points per game with 38 rebounds per game and 17 assists per game, while allowing 67.5 points against per game this season. Justin Hohn is averaging 14.1 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game. UC Irvine is shooting 48.5% from the field, 73.2% on free throws, and 37.2% on three pointers this year.
Hawaii Preview
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors are 9-6 (1-2) this season after they lost to Northridge by a score of 76-66 in their last game. Hawaii was tied at 37 at the half, but was out scored 39-29 in the second half for the loss. The Rainbow Warriors shot 32.8% from the field and made 11 three pointers in the game. Hawaii defeated Bakersfield by a score of 78-67 in the game prior to Northridge, but lost to Cal State Fullerton, TCU, and Georgia Tech before that. The Rainbow Warriors are scoring 73 points per game with 35.1 rebounds per game and 12.9 assists per game, while giving up 66.9 points against per game this year. Noel Coleman is averaging 14.5 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game. Hawaii is shooting 45.2% from the field, 69.3% on free throws, and 33.4% on three pointers this season.
UC Irvine vs Hawaii Betting Prediction
These two teams come into this matchup trending in opposite directions, as UC Irvine looks to stay perfect in conference play. Hawaii started the season playing very well, but they have lost four of their last five games The Rainbow Warriors are the slightly better defensive team in this matchup, but UC Irvine has the shooting advantage, as they are shooting 48.5% from the field. The Anteaters were fortunate to escape in overtime in their last game, but I don’t think they will be as fortunate here. It is never easy to play at Hawaii and I think the Rainbow Warriors will bounce back with a solid effort here.
