The Belmont Bruins (11-1) will travel to face the UC Irvine Anteaters (7-4) on Friday night in a very interesting non-conference college basketball game. Belmont is off to a strong start to the season with an impressive 11 wins, while UC Irvine comes in with a respectable 7-4 record and strong defensive metrics. Here, I break down this matchup in the betting markets, and you can find my Belmont vs UC Irvine prediction before tip-off.
Our Belmont vs UC Irvine Pick
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Belmont Bruins @ UC Irvine Anteaters
- Date & Time: Friday, December 19, 2025, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Bren Events Center, Irvine, California
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
- Belmont enters this game with an 11-1 record and a perfect 4-0 record on the road this season. The Bruins have been led by sharpshooting guard Tyler Lundblade, who is averaging 16.3 points per game and knocking down nearly four three-pointers per contest. Sam Orme adds strong interior play with 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Belmont’s high-powered offense averages over 85.5 points per game, creating matchup problems for many opponents.
- UC Irvine has won four straight games, including a decisive 85-71 victory over Cal State Northridge in its most recent outing. The Anteaters boast a stingy defense that ranks among the best nationally in limiting opponent scoring and field goal percentage, giving up 63.9 points per game. Offensively, junior Jurian Dixon has been a steady force with 15.3 points per game. UC Irvine’s defensive acumen, combined with home-court advantage, makes them a tough out in this contest. The Anteaters allow just 35.2% shooting by opponents, ranking near the top of defensive efficiency metrics.
- Belmont’s offense faces a significant test against UC Irvine’s disciplined defense. The Bruins rely on pace and spacing, leading the MVC in made three-pointers and assists per game. But the Anteaters’ ability to contest shots and force misses could limit Belmont’s efficiency. The Anteaters rank 19th in Division I men’s basketball in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- These teams last met in December of last year, with UC Irvine defeating Belmont in a high-scoring contest. That was the only previous meeting between these schools.
- UC Irvine is 3-5-1 against the spread this season.
- Belmont is 5-5-1 against the spread going into this game.
- The under is 6-5 in games featuring Belmont this season.
- UC Irvine has stayed under the total in 6 of their first 9 games.
Belmont vs UC Irvine Model Projection
Final Thoughts
