Time:<\/strong> 7:00 PM ET \/ 4:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> ESPN
Location:<\/strong> Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Spread:<\/strong> North Texas -1.5 | Total: 128.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Texas vs UC Irvine Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Something was added to the water in California this year because the Big West produced some fantastic basketball. Less than a decade ago, the Big West was rated No. 29 out of 32 leagues using KenPom’s median metrics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slowly but steadily, the league improved over time. But only three years ago, this was still the No. 19-rated conference sitting behind the WAC and MAAC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Big West finished No. 12 this season, fueled by UC-San Diego and UC-Irvine at the top plus very good seasons from Cal State-Northridge and UC-Riverside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Irvine did not play a single team from a power conference this season, yet the Anteaters still finished with a schedule that rates in the top-140 thanks to the strength of the Big West and quality non-conference wins over Northern Iowa, Kent State, Belmont and Towson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his 15th season at the helm, Irvine head coach Russell Turner has embraced this run. “It feels comparable to an NCAA Tournament appearance at this point, even though they\u2019re very different things,” Turner said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It feels like there\u2019s energy here and momentum here because of what our team\u2019s doing.” The Anteaters are led by 7-foot-1 German Bent Leuchten, who you can pencil in for a double-double before the game starts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leuchten had 17 points, ten rebounds and three blocks in Irvine’s opening round win over Northern Colorado, then followed that up with 18 points and ten rebounds in the quarterfinal win over UAB. On the other side, the revolving coaching carousel snagged North Texas head coach Ross Hodge (and probably a few players). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hodge will be heading to West Virginia and former Cleveland State head coach Daniyal Robinson will take over the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hodge is staying to coach the Mean Green in this event, but he did acknowledge on Monday that some of his players were likely looking for new homes this week (probably in Morgantown).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Texas vs UC Irvine Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your shots are not falling, can you generate second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds or forcing turnovers? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, the Mocs are No. 311 in offensive rebounding rate and they were at the bottom of the SoCon in forcing turnovers. Dan Earl is a fantastic coach and he’s clearly found a formula that works for his team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the three-pointers are falling, the Mocs can hang with anyone. But in the bright lights of a stand-alone national TV game, we’re struggling to back a defense that is outside the top-200 in defensive efficiency, effective field goal shooting allowed and forcing turnovers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ramblers play in the better conference, and we trust Drew Valentine’s defense to have the necessary gameplan in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Texas vs UC Irvine Prediction: UC Irvine +1.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nFREE March Madness Betting Guide Now Available<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gear up for the Madness with our must-have 2025 March Madness Guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s what’s included in your FREE 9-page Betting Guide<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2705 21 Proven March Madness Betting Systems & Sub-Systems<\/strong>
\u2705 Straight-Up, ATS, & Over\/Under records<\/strong>\u2014sorted by seeds and tournament rounds from the past four years
\u2705 Conference Records<\/strong> as Favorites and Underdogs (last 4 years)
\u2705 National Championship Odds Comparison<\/strong>: DraftKings vs. FanDuel
\u2705 The Biggest March Madness Upsets Since 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-LWCov8fmqA\/maxresdefault.jpg\")