Buckle up for late-night first-round NIT action when the UC Riverside Highlanders of the Big West meet the Santa Clara Broncos of the West Coast Conference.
The Highlanders are a team that covers the number on the road, and my UC Riverside vs. Santa Clara predictions and college basketball picks for Tuesday, March 18 expect more of the same here.
Who will win UC Riverside vs Santa Clara?
I like Santa Clara to win. Playing on its home court, where they are 11-4 SU, gives them an edge. They are also better at shooting and defending the triple than UC Riverside, which should lead to a victory.
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara prediction
My best bet: UC Riverside +11 (-110 at bet365)
Tonight’s UC Riverside Highlanders vs. Santa Clara Broncos first-round NIT matchup should be a late-night thriller.
UC Riverside is tidy with the rock. Its stout offensive rebounding group is also a decent 3-point shooting team and solid from the charity stripe.
Santa Clara isn’t always good at handling the ball, but it was second in the West Coast Conference in scoring (81.3 ppg) and had the 14th-highest effective field goal percentage (55.5%) nationally.
The Broncos also make 10 triples per game on 37% shooting from downtown, but I think UC Riverside scores well enough to cover the spread against Santa Clara.
My thinking is we’ll see two squads who like to fire away from downtown, and both groups are good at it. Both rebound well, but neither defends as well as they score the basketball.
The big shooting for both squads and the bricks that go with volume shooting should lead to an entertaining Tuesday night clash.
Riverside was 10-7 ATS as the away side, and I’m betting they cover the spread tonight.
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara same-game parlay (SGP)
UC Riverside +11.5
Santa Clara moneyline
Under 159.5
I like the Highlanders to cover, but I also like the Broncos to win this game.
Santa Clara was 11-4 at home this season. They’ve won four of six at home and meet a UC Riverside squad that was much better covering on the road than winning (7-10).
I bought the extra four points on the total. The game total has spiked from 149.5 to 155.5, and buying the additional four points makes me feel more comfortable playing the Under for the final leg.
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UC Riverside vs Santa Clara odds
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara live odds
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara opening odds
- Spread: UC Riverside +10.5 (-110) | Santa Clara -10.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: UC Riverside +230 | Santa Clara -210
- Over/Under: Over 151.5 (-110) | Under 151.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara betting trend to know
UC Riverside is 10-7 ATS on the road this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for UC Riverside vs. Santa Clara.
How to watch UC Riverside vs Santa Clara
| Location | Leavy Center, Santa Clara, CA |
| Date | Tuesday, 3-18-2025 |
| Tip-off | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
UC Riverside vs Santa Clara key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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