North Texas vs UC Irvine Picks and Prediction – 4/1/2025

North Texas (27-8) takes on UC Irvine (31-6) in the NIT Semifinals at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. The Mean Green are riding a three-game win streak, including a gritty 61-59 road win over Oklahoma State. UC Irvine has matched that streak, most recently outlasting UAB 81-77 in overtime behind a strong second-half surge. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

North Texas continues to grind out close wins in this tournament, using a deliberate pace and defensive intensity to suffocate opponents. In the last three games, the Mean Green held all opponents under 65 points. Guard Atin Wright leads the scoring at 14.9 points per game while shooting 94.1% from the line. Moulaye Sissoko pulls down 6.5 rebounds a night, and Jasper Floyd leads with 3.9 assists. North Texas scores 68.0 points per game on 45.1% shooting, but the Mean Green’s tempo slows down high-powered offenses.

Defense remains the backbone for the Mean Green, allowing only 63.2 points per game during the season and forcing 7.5 steals per contest. Brenen Lorient leads the squad with 1.1 blocks per game. The rebounding edge is a concern, with only 32.8 boards per game. Still, North Texas has been composed in late-game moments and thrives in tight games.

UC Irvine enters with momentum and confidence after winning three straight, including an 81-point effort against UAB in OT. Center Bent Leuchten has been dominant all season, averaging 15.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8%. Justin Hohn runs the offense with 3.7 assists and contributes 1.4 steals per game.

Defensively, the Anteaters are stingy, allowing just 65.4 points per game and holding teams to a 42.3% field goal rate. They control the glass with 38.2 rebounds per contest and average 3.5 blocks. UC Irvine plays faster and more fluidly on offense, scoring 75.9 points per game with 15.7 assists. The offensive balance and size inside can challenge any defense left in the field.

North Texas is excellent at slowing down games, but UC Irvine’s size, pace, and inside presence with Bent Leuchten give them the edge here. The Anteaters score nearly eight more points per game and dominate the glass by over five rebounds. If UC Irvine controls tempo early, North Texas will struggle to keep pace. Final Score Prediction: UC Irvine wins 71-65.