The UIC Flames will play against the California Golden Bears in the NIT Tournament. The game is set for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 11:00 PM ET. It will take place at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA, and fans can watch it on ESPN2.
UIC Flames come into this game with a regular season record of 19-15. In their last three games, they won against Drake Bulldogs and Murray State Racers but lost to Northern Iowa Panthers. Elijah Crawford and Rashund Washington Jr. have been key players in recent games.
California Golden Bears finished their regular season with a 21-11 record. They recently lost to Florida State Seminoles and Wake Forest Demon Deacons but won against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Dai Dai Ames has been a standout player for the team in these games.
California Preview
The California Golden Bears play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. During the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 21 wins and 11 losses. In conference games, their record was 9 wins and 10 losses.
In recent games, the Golden Bears faced Florida State, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech. Against Florida State, they lost 89-95. Dai Dai Ames scored 27 points in that game. In the game against Wake Forest, they lost 73-80, with Ames scoring 31 points.
The Golden Bears won their game against Georgia Tech with a score of 76-65. John Camden contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds in that game. Dai Dai Ames also played well, scoring 18 points.
For the season, the team averaged 77.9 points per game. They made 9 three-pointers per game and had a free throw percentage of 77.9%. On defense, they averaged 5.9 steals and 3.1 blocks per game.
UIC Preview
The UIC Flames play in the Missouri Valley Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 19-15. Their conference record was 14-9. The team showed strong performance in their conference games.
In recent games, the Flames had mixed results. They won against the Drake Bulldogs with a score of 72-51. However, they lost to the Northern Iowa Panthers, 84-69. Elijah Crawford was a standout player in these games, scoring 28 points against the Panthers.
The Flames’ offensive stats show they score an average of 75.5 points per game. They attempt about 59 field goals per game, with a shooting percentage of 45.5%. Their three-point shooting is less frequent, with 6.2 made per game at a 32.3% success rate.
Defensively, the Flames average 8 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. They have 11.5 turnovers per game. The team commits 16.8 fouls per game, which they aim to improve. Overall, the Flames have a balanced team with room for growth in both offense and defense.
Statistical Breakdown for California vs UIC
The game between the California Golden Bears and the UIC Flames could be shaped by several key stats. The Golden Bears have a higher scoring average, with 77.9 points per game, compared to the Flames’ 75.5. The Bears also excel in three-point shooting, making 9 per game at a 36.1% rate. Meanwhile, the Flames have a strong defense, averaging 8 steals per game. Both teams have areas to improve, such as turnovers and fouls. These factors may influence the outcome.
- Golden Bears Points Per Game: 77.9
- Flames Points Per Game: 75.5
- Golden Bears Three-Point Percentage: 36.1%
- Flames Steals Per Game: 8.0
- Golden Bears Free Throw Percentage: 77.9%
- Flames Field Goal Percentage: 45.5%
- Golden Bears Turnovers Per Game: 10.1
- Flames Turnovers Per Game: 11.5
- Golden Bears Fouls Per Game: 18.8
- Flames Fouls Per Game: 16.8
Betting Insights
As the UIC Flames prepare to play the California Golden Bears, bettors have some key trends to consider. The Flames have struggled against the spread recently, while the Bears have been strong in this area. Both teams have different patterns in over/under results, which could influence betting decisions. Here are the top 5 trends to keep in mind:
- California is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- UIC is 0-10 ATS in their last 10 games.
- California is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- UIC is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games.
- California is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Free Betting Prediction for California vs UIC
The California Golden Bears have shown strong performance, especially against the spread. Their recent games indicate they can score well, with Dai Dai Ames being a key player. The Bears’ ability to make three-pointers and their solid free throw percentage give them an edge in scoring.
On the other hand, the UIC Flames have struggled against the spread in recent games. Their defense is strong, with a good number of steals per game. However, their offensive stats are slightly lower than the Bears, which might affect their chances in this game.
Considering the stats and recent performances, the Golden Bears have a slight advantage. They have been consistent in covering the spread, and their scoring ability could be the deciding factor. The Flames will need to improve their offense to compete effectively.
- Our Free Prediction: Bears -5.5
