Hawaii vs UC Irvine Prediction & Betting Pick | College Basketball January 29, 2026

📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
🕖 Time: 11:00 PM EST
🏟️ Venue: Bren Events Center - Irvine, CA

UC Irvine comes off a gritty 61–59 win over UC San Diego and that game says a lot about who these Anteaters are: methodical, defensive-minded, and comfortable grinding out close possessions. They slowed the pace, made the right reads late, and closed when it mattered. That’s the blueprint they’ll try to run again at home.

Hawaii, by contrast, arrives with a different vibe — an 89–68 rout of Cal State Northridge that showcased pace, balance, and efficient scoring across the board. They pushed the ball, attacked the glass, and got easy looks in transition. When they’re rolling, they’re dangerous in bursts.

This is a textbook clash of styles. Hawaii wants to turn the game into a track meet and get quick offense. UC Irvine prefers to drag possessions out, contest shots, and win the battle on the boards. Whoever imposes their tempo will have the edge.

Key for the Anteaters is limiting Hawaii’s transition chances. If UC Irvine can force longer possessions and make the Rainbow Warriors work for every shot, the game shifts toward the home team’s strengths. Their half‑court defense and late‑game execution are built for that exact scenario.

Hawaii’s shot-making gives them upside — they can flip a close game with a hot stretch. But those runs are easier to manufacture when the opponent allows quick possessions. Against a disciplined UC Irvine defense that defends without fouling, those runs are harder to sustain.

Turnovers and rebounding will be decisive. UC Irvine’s ability to secure defensive boards and reset the half‑court offense kills Hawaii’s transition game. Conversely, if Hawaii crashes the glass and forces extra possessions, the tempo advantage swings back to them.

Matchups matter too. UC Irvine’s guards handle pressure well and their late‑game poise showed against UC San Diego. Hawaii’s wings can score in bunches, but they need clean looks and pace to maximize that strength. Expect both teams to try and exploit matchup mismatches early.

Coaching will be a factor. UC Irvine’s game plan is predictable in the best way — slow it down, contest everything, and trust your defense to create offense. Hawaii’s staff will push pace and look for quick scoring windows. The team that executes its plan more consistently over 40 minutes wins.

I see a tight, physical game that stays close into the final minutes. UC Irvine’s home court and defensive discipline give them a slight but meaningful edge when possessions matter most. That’s why I’m siding with the Anteaters on a slim spread.

Final feel: long possessions, contested shots, and a late‑game sequence that favors UC Irvine’s execution.

📌 Official Picks
UC Irvine -1.5 -110

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