It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the UC Irvine Anteaters (13-14, 8-3 BigWst) take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (13-10, 4-6 BigWst) at Bren Events Center. The Anteaters have won five consecutive games, while the Rainbow Warriors are riding a five-game losing streak. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 15, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 133 points with UC Irvine set as an 8.5-point favorite.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Prediction
The last time the Rainbow Warriors played, they were beaten by the CSUN Matadors, 77-71. CSUN’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Hawaii. The Matadors had a rate of 0.733 (above their season average of 0.473), while the Rainbow Warriors posted a mark of 0.578. Drew Buggs led Hawaii in scoring with 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
The Anteaters were victorious over the UC Riverside Highlanders in their last game, 62-52. The Anteaters, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.3, had an extraordinary mark of 35.7 and held the Highlanders to an effective field goal percentage of 0.343 (below their season average of 0.457). Evan Leonard was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Anteaters currently rank 37th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.3 percent), while Hawaii ranks 24th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.0 percent). Moreover, the Rainbow Warriors are among the NCAA’s best at getting to the line, ranking 42nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.285). The Anteaters, meanhwile, rank 304th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.285).
Hawaii holds records of 13-10 straight up (SU) and 8-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the Rainbow Warriors’ 19 games that accepted bets, 11 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, UC Irvine is 13-14 SU and 11-10-3 ATS. Contrary to Hawaii, games including the Anteaters have a tendency to go under the total (62.5 percent).
Tommy Rutherford and Leonard have been playing well over the last five games for UC Irvine. Rutherford has averaged 16.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Leonard has recorded 15.0 points, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals a game during that span.
After the Anteaters won both games against the Rainbow Warriors last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the most recent game, UC Irvine won 72-58. The Anteaters knocked down 14 of their 14 free throws (100.0 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.0 vs. 16.7).
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at UC Irvine Anteaters Free Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – UC Irvine, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Hawaii is 2-3 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 2 unders.
At home, UC Irvine is 3-1-3 ATS with 4 unders and 3 overs.
UC Irvine ranks sixth in rebounds per game (41.5) while Hawaii ranks 252nd (33.1).
The Anteaters rank 49th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Rainbow Warriors rank 209th (1.9).
Hawaii ranks 207th in three pointers attempted per game (20.2) while UC Irvine ranks 254th (18.6).
The Rainbow Warriors are 13th in the nation with 10.0 assists allowed per game while the Anteaters are 56th with 11.8 assists allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Hawaii is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
UC Irvine is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Rainbow Warriors have been outscored by an average of 5.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Hawaii has defeated opponents by an average of 1.3 points.
During their last five games, the Anteaters have scored an average of 71.2 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 54.8 points per game (13.3 below their season average).
