Alabama-Birmingham vs UC Irvine Picks and Prediction – 3/27/2025

On Tuesday, the UAB Blazers (24-12) face off against the UC Irvine Anteaters (30-6) in the NIT Quarterfinal. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

UC Irvine comes into this matchup on a two-game winning streak and has won four of their last five games. In a thrilling 66-61 victory over Jacksonville State during the second round of the NIT tournament, Justin Hohn stood out by scoring 22 points for the UC Irvine Anteaters. This season, the team has been led by Bent Leuchten, who is averaging a solid 15.3 points per game. Right behind him is Devin Tillis, who contributes an impressive 13.2 points on average. Leuchten also dominates the boards, averaging 9 rebounds per game, showcasing his critical role in both scoring and defense. Meanwhile, Hohn leads the team's playmaking efforts with an average of 3.7 assists per contest. Over their last five matchups, the Anteaters have been on a scoring spree, putting up an average of 80.4 points per game. As they prepare to face UAB, UC Irvine aims to maintain its offensive momentum, with a season average of 75.9 points per game.

UAB enters this game on a two-game winning streak and has won four of their last five games. In their triumphant 88-84 victory against Santa Clara during the second round of the NIT tournament, Yaxel Lendeborg made a significant impact by scoring 22 points for the UAB Blazers. This season, Lendeborg stands out as UAB’s top scorer, maintaining an impressive average of 17.8 points per game. Following him, Christian Coleman contributes as the second-highest scorer for the team, averaging 11.3 points this season. Lendeborg is not only a scoring leader but also dominates in rebounds for UAB, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game. Additionally, he excels in playmaking, leading the team with an average of 4.3 assists. Over their last five matchups, UAB has managed to score an average of 77.8 points per game. As they prepare to face UC Irvine on their home turf in California, UAB aims to disrupt the offensive prowess of their opponents. Throughout the season, the Blazers have been a strong offensive team themselves, averaging 81.4 points per game overall.

UC Irvine has been dominant at home, securing victories in twelve out of their last fourteen games. As they prepare to host UAB in the second round of the NIT tournament, they're eager to notch their thirteenth home win. Meanwhile, UAB has managed to win seven out of twelve road games and is keen on securing a crucial victory in this matchup. To succeed, they will need to elevate their offensive performance. Final Score Prediction, UAB Blazers win 76-72.