UC Irvine and Belmont Set for Competitive Matchup in Nashville

The Anteaters and Bruins, both with strong early-season records, face off in a game highlighting contrasting styles and key players.

UC Irvine (9-1) enters the game following its first loss of the season, a 67-55 defeat to Oregon State, but boasts a strong defensive record allowing just 60.3 points per game.
Belmont (9-2) comes off a high-scoring 93-86 victory over Richmond, led by Jonathan Pierre's standout 28-point performance.
The Anteaters excel in ball movement, averaging 16.2 assists per game, while Belmont relies on its potent offense, scoring 84.1 points per game on average.
Betting odds slightly favor UC Irvine (-2.5), with analysts highlighting its stronger overall resume, including a dominant Quad 1 win over Northern Iowa.
The game will take place at Belmont's Curb Event Center Arena, where the Bruins have a strong home record of 5-1 this season.