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UC Irvine heads to Davis for a Big West matchup with UC Davis on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET at the University Credit Union Center. The game streams on ESPN+. UC Irvine comes in at 12-6 and has traveled well (6-2 away), while UC Davis has been strong at home at 7-2 and will like this spot as a short home dog.
The market has UC Irvine as a small road favorite at -2.5 with a -148 moneyline, and the total is 146.5. This is the kind of number that usually comes down to execution and late-game shot-making more than anything dramatic. If UC Irvine’s rebounding edge shows up, they can grind out a road win. If UC Davis gets comfortable offensively at home and keeps the glass even, the +2.5 starts to look live.
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UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Davis Aggies Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated college basketball odds before tipoff. For the UC Irvine vs UC Davis odds and any late movement, check closer to game time.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine Anteaters | -148 | -2.5 (-111) | O 146.5 |
| UC Davis Aggies | +118 | +2.5 (-112) | U 146.5 |
UC Irvine Anteaters Betting Form
UC Irvine is coming off a 67-66 loss to Hawaii, and that game is a decent reminder of what they are. They can defend well enough to keep games tight, they rebound, and they don’t need perfect shooting to be competitive late. Derin Saran’s 22 points popped, and Kyle Evans giving them 13 points and eight rebounds fits the script: their best stretches usually include solid guard creation paired with second-chance chances.
The travel record matters here. UC Irvine being 6-2 away suggests they’re not rattled by road environments, and they bring a physical profile that tends to translate. They’re averaging 77.9 points per game on 46.7% shooting, and the rebounding piece is the separator. Ranking 43rd in rebounds per game is a real advantage in a short spread game because it lets them survive rough shooting possessions without falling behind quickly.
UC Davis Aggies Betting Form
UC Davis is coming off a 74-69 home win over Cal State Fullerton, and the offense looked efficient. Niko Rocak finishing at a high clip and Marcus Wilson impacting the glass are good signs because UC Davis has to score cleanly against a team that wants to win possessions. Their home record (7-2) is the reason they’re only +2.5 here despite UC Irvine’s better overall profile.
From a betting standpoint, UC Davis checks a few boxes that matter in close games. The effective field goal rate is strong (54.7%), they shoot 75.6% at the line, and they move the ball well with 16.4 assists per game. That combination tends to keep you from going totally empty for long stretches. If they’re making shots and not turning it over, it’s hard to separate from them in this building.
UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Davis Aggies Matchup Breakdown
This game looks like a pace and possession battle. UC Irvine is at 62.3 possessions per game and UC Davis is at 59.9, so neither team is screaming “track meet.” In that kind of environment, -2.5 is basically asking which side wins the rebounding and free-throw margins. UC Irvine’s edge is the glass and their ability to hang around even when the offense is choppy. UC Davis’ edge is shot efficiency and home comfort, plus the ability to close games at the line.
Shot profile matters too. UC Irvine typically wins by creating extra possessions, and UC Davis wins by finishing possessions with made shots. If UC Davis is hitting early and doesn’t give UC Irvine second-chance points, the home dog is in a good position. If UC Irvine is generating extra looks and making UC Davis defend for longer stretches, you can see UC Davis’ offense get a little tighter.
For totals, 146.5 isn’t outrageous given both teams can score, but it does require efficiency. A slower game with long possessions can still go over if both teams are clean. It can also land in the low 140s if either side has a cold stretch or if the game stays physical and half-court heavy.
UC Irvine Anteaters vs UC Davis Aggies Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is UC Davis +2.5. UC Irvine’s road record is impressive, so I’m not fading them aggressively, but this is a classic “short home dog with strong splits” spot. UC Davis has been reliable at home, and the way they shoot and pass can counter the possession edge if they simply finish trips with points. If this is tight late, I’d rather be holding the points than laying them.
I’m less interested in the moneyline for UC Davis than the spread. +118 is fine, but +2.5 gives you coverage on the “UC Irvine wins by one or two” outcome, which feels very realistic here. UC Irvine is comfortable winning ugly, but that style can keep margins compressed.
On the total, I lean Under 146.5. The possession counts point to a controlled game, and both teams have paths to slowing it down. The over case is UC Davis efficiency plus UC Irvine second-chance points. The under case is simple: long possessions, fewer transition looks, and a game that feels like it’s being played in the half court for most of the night. I think that’s more likely.
Best Bet: UC Davis +2.5 (-112).
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Conference betting is usually about repeatable edges: who controls the glass, who takes care of the ball, and which team can manufacture points when the offense isn’t smooth. Short spreads like this often come down to two or three possessions that swing on rebounds and free throws, not just raw scoring averages.
If you’re building your Saturday card, today’s college basketball picks are a good way to compare sides and totals across the slate and see where the strongest opinions are lining up. For a deeper approach to pricing, tempo, and how late-game fouling can swing totals, the sports betting strategy guide is a useful reference.
