UC Irvine vs. Kansas State Prediction
Can No. 4 Kansas State avoid an upset when it takes on No. 13 UC Irvine in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament today at 2PM ET?
827 UC Irvine vs. 828 Kansas State
Friday, March 22, 2019
2PM ET – SAP Center
TV: TBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Kansas State is favored in this game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -4.5 points against the Anteaters. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 118.5 points. The public betting currently has 72 percent going on Cal Irvine as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Anteaters on a tear
UC Irvine is riding an 18-game win streak right now, winning the Big West regular season and tournament titles. The Anteaters are also 8-1-1 against the spread in their last 10 games. Cal Irvine is 30-5 on the season, 5-1 on a neutral floor, 20-13-1 against the spread and 17-17 with the over/under total.
The Anteaters are one of the best defensive teams in the nation, allowing just 63.3 points per game while limiting opponents to 38 percent shooting. Offensively, Irvine averages 72.9 points per game while shooting 45.9 percent as a team. Max Hazzard is leading the team with 12.5 points per game while Evan Leonard is adding 11.1 points per contest.
K-State falls to Iowa State
Kansas State was a surprise winner of the Big 12 regular season title, sharing the crown with Texas Tech. Still, the Wildcats are coming off a 63-59 loss to Iowa State last week in the conference tournament. Kansas State is 25-8 on the season, 5-1 on a neutral floor, 19-13-1 against the spread and 20-13 with the under.
The Wildcats also have one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing just 59.2 points per game while holding opponents to 41.4 percent shooting. K-State is one of the worst offenses in the nation, though, as it averages just 65.8 points per game while shooting 43.1 percent as a team. Dean Wade averages 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for K-State, but he is questionable to play with a lingering foot injury. Barry Brown Jr. is leading the team with 14.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
UC Irvine
Cal Irvine is 6-0-1 against the spread in its last seven following a win of 20 points or more, but 0-5-1 ATS in its last 6 against Big 12 opponents.
Kansas State
The Wildcats are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven non-conference games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last six against Big West opponents.
Prediction:
Kansas State isn’t a team that’s been able to score much and one of their top scorers is expected to remain out. This game is likely to be ugly and low scoring, but UC Irvine has the better shooting numbers. I don’t see Kansas State being able to pull away with a limited offensive roster against a good defensive team. I will take my chances on the Anteaters with the points.
College Basketball Prediction: UC Irvine +4.5