UIC Flames vs California Golden Bears Prediction, 3/18/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UIC Flames vs California Golden Bears

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Location: Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: California (-4)

The California Golden Bears (21-11) host the UIC Flames (19-15) at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday in the 1st round of the NIT. UIC opens this matchup as 4-point dogs. The over/under has been set at 149.

The UIC Flames took the court against UNI and ended up losing by a score of 84-69 in their last contest. UIC ended the game with a 43.5% FG percentage (27 out of 62) and made 6 of 17 shots from beyond the arc. When they shot from the free throw line, the Flames knocked down 9 of 9 attempts for a rate of 100.0%. With respect to rebounding, they collected 19 with 9 of them being of the offensive sort. They also recorded 13 dimes in this matchup in addition to forcing the other team into 8 turnovers and earning 5 steals. In relation to defense, UIC allowed their opponent to shoot 63.3% from the floor on 31 out of 49 shooting. UNI distributed 25 dimes and had 3 steals for the matchup. Additionally, UNI snagged 25 boards (7 offensive, 18 defensive), but wasn't able to record a rejection. UNI finished 76.9% from the charity stripe by burying 10 of 13 attempts. They knocked down 12 out of their 23 tries from downtown. In relation to personal fouls, the Flames ended up finishing with 14 while UNI recorded 14 personal fouls.

Elijah Crawford is one guy who was a major factor for the contest. He finished 44.8% from the field and also recorded 5 dimes. He was on the hardwood for 34 mins played and snagged 4 rebounds. He accumulated 28 points on 13 out of 29 shooting.

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UIC comes into this matchup with a record of 19-15 for the campaign. They are losing possession via turnover 12.0 times per contest and as a squad they are committing 16.8 personal fouls on a nightly basis. As a team, UIC is snagging 36.4 rebounds per contest and has 493 dimes for the season, which is 106th in college in terms of passing. The Flames are connecting on 32.3% on shots from beyond the arc (211 of 654) and 73.0% from the charity stripe. They have an average of 75.5 points per outing (182nd in Division 1) while going 45.5% from the field.

On defense, the Flames are forcing 13.6 turnovers per contest while drawing 18.2 personal fouls. They are conceding 32.9% from 3-point land and they are 73rd in college in opponents PPG (70.0). The Flames are allowing a FG percentage of 42.4% (811 of 1,914) and they relinquish 32.5 boards per game as a squad. They are ranked 347th in college hoops in allowing assists to their opponents with 536 conceded this season.

The last time they took the court, the California Golden Bears walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 95-89 when they played Florida State. Regarding attacking the glass, California allowed Florida State to grab 26 in all (6 on the offensive side). They went 46.4% from beyond the arc by connecting on 13 out of 28 and walked away from this one shooting 12 of 19 from the free throw line (63.2%). The Golden Bears permitted Florida State to make 35 out of their 61 tries from the floor which left them shooting 57.4% in this contest. Overall, the Golden Bears went 31 out of 61 from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 50.8%. When discussing shots from 3-point land, California buried 11 out of their 27 tries (40.7%). They were able to bury 16 of those for a rate of 66.7%. Florida State earned 19 personal fouls for this contest which took the Golden Bears to the charity stripe for a total of 24 shots. They gave up possession 12 times, while recording 3 steals in this game. The Golden Bears were able to collect 22 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive boards totaling 35 for the contest.

Dai Dai Ames was important for the Golden Bears for this contest. He tallied 27 points in his 37 minutes of playing time and had 1 assist in the game. He buried 9 of 18 in the matchup for a field goal rate of 50.0%, and added 4 rebounds.

California has a record of 21-11 for the year. The Golden Bears commit 18.8 fouls per game and they connect on 77.9% from the free throw line. They are getting an assist 13.7 times per contest (192nd in the country) and they are giving up possession 10.3 times per contest. California has accounted for 2,492 pts so far this year (77.9 per game) and they collect 34.8 rebounds per game. When it comes to offense, the Golden Bears are hitting on 44.3% from the floor, which is ranked 236th in the nation.

The Golden Bears on defense are ranked 161st in the nation in points given up per game with 73.3. They are able to force 11.5 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 43.3% from the field (122nd in college). The California defense allows 31.3% from downtown (245 of 784) and their opponents are making 66.0% of their free throw attempts. They surrender 14.3 assists and 36.7 rebounds every game, which is 257th and 309th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take California (-4)

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