UNLV vs UC Irvine: Today’s NIT Game Prediction, Picks & Odds
The NIT First Round nightcap pits UNLV against No. 4 seed UC Irvine. The game is set for March 17, 2026, at the Bren Events Center.
Game overview
Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. ET. ESPNU will carry the telecast.
UC Irvine makes its fourth straight NIT appearance. The Anteaters went to the tournament final last season, losing in overtime.
Team context
UC Irvine finished 12-4 at home this season. The program has reached 20-plus wins for the 11th time under coach Russell Turner.
UNLV closed at 17-16 in Josh Pastner’s first season. The Rebels battled injuries and inconsistent play throughout the year.
Player spotlight
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn remains the focal point for UNLV. He wears No. 0 and draws heavy defensive attention.
Gibbs-Lawhorn averaged 28.1 points in his final 11 regular-season games. He scored more than 22.5 points in nine of his last 13 contests.
He makes roughly 2.9 three-pointers per game at a 41.9 percent clip.
Matchup and pace
Both teams ranked inside the top 100 in adjusted tempo last month. Expect an up-and-down contest with many possessions.
UCI ranks 26th in adjusted defensive efficiency. That places them about 146 spots ahead of UNLV in that metric.
The Anteaters force opponents to shoot from deep, ranking 249th in opponent three-point attempt rate. The Big West generally struggles from long range.
Betting outlook
This UNLV vs UC Irvine preview includes today’s NIT game prediction, picks and odds for bettors.
Top single-game bet: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn Over 22.5 points. The market listed -110 at bet365 at publication.
Suggested same-game parlay: UC Irvine moneyline, Gibbs-Lawhorn over 22.5 points, Gibbs-Lawhorn over 3.5 three-pointers.
Trends to know
- UC Irvine covered the first-half spread in 11 of its last 15 games.
- UNLV posted an 11-7 over/under mark in its last 18 first halves.
- UNLV exceeded its team total in 10 of 13 recent games.
Odds snapshot
| Spread | UNLV +1.5 (-110) | UC Irvine -1.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | UNLV +105 | UC Irvine -125 |
| Over/Under | 151.5 (-110) |
Key metrics
Haslametrics places UCI at 86th in team consistency. UNLV checks in at 309th on that same metric.
UNLV ranks 27th in adjusted three-point percentage. Their offense can score but often struggles to defend.
How to watch
Location: Bren Events Center, Irvine, California. Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Tip-off: 11:00 p.m. ET. TV: ESPNU.
Odds were accurate at the time of publication and may change. Updated Mar 17, 2026, 04:05 PM ET. Filmogaz.com.
