AMEDEUS' CBB NIT PICK AND ROLL THE BOOKS!

Handicapper

Amedeus Mastrangelo

League

NCAAB

Competition

North Texas vs Cal Irvine

Release Date

04/01/2025 11:01 AM

Event Date

04/01/2025 07:00 PM

Bet Type

Point Spread

Pick

Cal Irvine +1.5 (-105) (BetOnline)

Outcome

Win

Analysis

North Texas is coming into this game with a 27-8 record this season and they were 14-4 in their conference. They were playing very well to end the season and have won their last 3 straight as well as 4 of their last 5 games, but they have played in some much closer games recently. They opened this tournament with a 75-64 win against Furman at home, but their last 2 games have been much closer. They only beat Arkansas State at home 65-63 and now they are coming off of a 61-59 win on the road against Oklahoma State in the last round, but Oklahoma State was also one of the worst teams in the Big 12 this season. They are going up against a UC Irvine team that is 31-6 this season and they were 17-3 in their conference. They have also been on fire to end the season as they have won their last 3 straight as well as 9 of their last 10 games, their only loss coming against UC San Diego in the Big West Tournament, and UC San Diego was the best team in that conference all year. They have played well in this tournament with wins against Northern Colorado, Jacksonville State, and UAB, and they were also on fire in their non-conference schedule as they started the season 11-2. They are also 4-1 this season when playing at a neutral location. North Texas has been very good on defense this season as they average 59.9 points allowed per game, but UC Irvine also defends well and they have a big advantage at the rim with their rebounding. UC Irvine just took down a good AAC opponent in UAB and they will do the same here. UC Irvine will cover the spread in this game.