UC Riverside vs UC Irvine Picks and Predictions for Thursday December 4, 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/04/2025, 01:35 AM ET

UC Riverside and UC Irvine meet at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, with tipoff at 10:00 PM EST on ESPN+. Riverside is 4–4 and looking to bounce back from a loss, while Irvine is 5–4 and trending upward after two straight wins. Make sure you check out the full and free college basketball picks.

UC Riverside Preview

UC Riverside sits at 4–4, coming off a 77–69 loss at Utah Tech. The Highlanders have had a mixed bag of performances, with some solid wins but also some lopsided defeats.

Riverside scores 75.0 points per game and allows 72.4, with a slight positive margin. They rebound well at 48 boards per game, but the offense is a bit inconsistent with just 12.9 assists and moderate efficiency. Defensively, they get 5.3 steals and 4.3 blocks, showing some rim protection but not overwhelming pressure.

Henderson leads UCR with 17.4 points per game on 43.5% shooting and 71.0% from the line. When he’s rolling, Riverside can compete with almost anyone in the league, but their depth scoring and defensive focus haven’t always followed.

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UC Irvine Preview

UC Irvine is 5–4 and comes in on a two-game winning streak, with impressive victories over San Jose State and San Diego State. The Anteaters are starting to look like the tough, defense-first program we’re used to seeing.

Irvine averages 79.7 points per game while surrendering only 63.6, giving them a +16.1 scoring margin. They grab 47 rebounds, pass the ball extremely well with 17.3 assists per game, and are disruptive defensively with 7.8 steals and 6.9 blocks — the block rate, in particular, speaks to their length and rim protection.

Dixon leads Irvine with 15.9 points per game on 43.6% shooting and 86.2% at the line. The Anteaters’ combination of size, disciplined defense, and multiple scoring options makes them a tough out at home.

UC Riverside vs UC Irvine Pick

I’m backing UC Irvine to get this done at home. Riverside’s rebounding and Henderson’s scoring give them a puncher’s chance, but Irvine’s defensive numbers and recent form really stand out. The Anteaters’ ability to contest shots, protect the rim, and still score efficiently on the other end gives them a clear edge.

Riverside can hang around on the glass, but over time I expect Irvine’s depth, ball movement, and defensive intensity to wear them down. I’m taking UC Irvine to control this game at both ends and cover a double-digit spread in their own building. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for UC Riverside with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on UC Irvine by using the sportsbook promos. Make sure when you place your UC Riverside vs UC Irvine bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.

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