Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC Irvine Anteaters Picks and Prediction for Friday March 13 2026
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The Cal State Northridge Matadors face the UC Irvine Anteaters in the Big West Championship Semifinal on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET with television coverage on ESPNU. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and betting insights.
Cal State Northridge Entering Semifinal with Offensive Confidence
Cal State Northridge enters the Big West Championship Semifinal with a 20-13 overall record and a 12-8 mark in Big West play. The Matadors advanced after recently winning over UC San Diego 80-70 in the quarterfinal round. Over their last five games, Cal State Northridge has recently won over UC San Diego and Cal State Bakersfield while recently losing to Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine.
On the season, Cal State Northridge averages 81.5 points per game while allowing 79.4 points per contest. The Matadors shoot 45% from the field and average 42.0 rebounds with 16.9 assists per game. Defensively, Cal State Northridge records 2.8 blocks and 7.0 steals per contest while relying on rebounding and offensive pace to stay competitive.
In the quarterfinal victory over UC San Diego, Larry Hughes II delivered a dominant performance with 34 points while Mahmoud Fofana led the team on the glass with 12 rebounds. Cal State Northridge shot 49% from the field and limited turnovers to just 10 in the win. However, the Matadors now face a quick turnaround against a UC Irvine team that already defeated them by one point late in the regular season.
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UC Irvine Looking to Build on Strong Defensive Identity
UC Irvine enters the Big West Championship Semifinal with a 22-10 overall record and a 15-5 mark in Big West play. The Anteaters earned a bye into the semifinal round due to their strong regular-season finish. Over their last five games, UC Irvine has recently won over UC Davis, Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal State Northridge while recently losing to UC San Diego.
On the season, UC Irvine averages 77.3 points per game while allowing just 68.1 points per contest. The Anteaters shoot 47% from the field and average 40.3 rebounds with 16.2 assists per game. Defensively, UC Irvine records 5.9 blocks and 7.8 steals per contest while using length and defensive pressure to disrupt opponents.
In their most recent win over UC Davis, Jurian Dixon led the Anteaters with 23 points and also pulled down eight rebounds. UC Irvine shot an efficient 51% from the field and dominated the boards 48-24 while forcing overtime before pulling away. With a rest advantage and a proven defensive system, the Anteaters enter this semifinal matchup with momentum.
Cal State Northridge vs UC Irvine Pick
Cal State Northridge vs UC Irvine Spread Pick
- Pick: UC Irvine Moneyline
UC Irvine already defeated Cal State Northridge 68-67 late in the regular season and enters this matchup with the advantage of rest and defensive efficiency. The Anteaters allow just over 68 points per game and consistently control the glass, which could limit Northridge’s high-scoring offense. With UC Irvine’s balance and defensive presence, the Anteaters are well positioned to advance.
Cal State Northridge vs UC Irvine Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I like the under in this matchup because UC Irvine’s defensive identity often slows the pace of games. The Anteaters have held opponents to relatively low scoring numbers throughout the season, and tournament games frequently tighten defensively. With UC Irvine likely dictating tempo and Northridge playing on a short turnaround, the total could stay under the number.
Final Score Prediction: UC Irvine 72, Cal State Northridge 66
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