The 2025 NIT Championship is approaching, featuring an exciting matchup between the UC Irvine Anteaters and the Chattanooga Mocs on Thursday night. Which also means our UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga predictions are here!

Both teams arrive at Hinkle Fieldhouse with impressive four-game winning streaks, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter between one of the tournament's most surprising contenders and a squad aiming to conclude a remarkable season.

 

 

 

UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga Predictions For NIT Championship, 4/3

Chattanooga has embraced its role as the underdog, defeating higher-seeded teams in each round, while UC Irvine has achieved a program-record 32 victories and demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season. 

With the championship at stake, both bettors and fans are keen to see which team will emerge victorious. Let’s explore the odds, key narratives, and top UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga picks for the NIT title game.

 

 

 

UC Irvine Anteaters: Rightfully Favored Today

UC Irvine heads into the NIT Championship as the clear favorite, having achieved a school-record 32 victories and showcasing a well-rounded offense that has consistently outmatched rivals throughout the season. 

Their success is largely due to their strong defense, which ranks 11th in opponent field goal percentage at 39.6% and limits opponents to an average of 66.2 points per game. Their ability to dictate the game's tempo has been crucial in the postseason, highlighted by a tough 69-67 semifinal victory against North Texas. 

On the offensive side, UC Irvine remains reliable and effective, with a shooting percentage of 45.5% and ranking second in the nation for free-throw percentage at 80.6%, a key advantage in tight contests. 

Forward Devin Tillis has been a standout performer, averaging 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the tournament. With their strong defense and scoring prowess, the Anteaters are set to cap off their remarkable season with an NIT championship.

 

 

 

Chattanooga Mocs: Overcoming The Odds

Chattanooga's path to the NIT Championship has been truly impressive. The Mocs have fully embraced their role as underdogs, defeating four higher-seeded teams in a row, including a notable 80-73 victory against Loyola Chicago in the semifinals. 

Their dynamic offense, averaging 78.9 points per game and ranking 61st nationally, has fueled their success. Guard Trey Bonham has stood out, scoring an average of 23 points per game in the tournament and hitting 48% of his three-point attempts. 

After a tough overtime loss to Furman in the Southern Conference Tournament, which denied them a spot in the NCAA Tournament, the Mocs showed great resilience. Instead of giving up, they regrouped and relied on their strong shooting (48% FG) and key plays in critical moments. 

As they get ready to take on UC Irvine, Chattanooga aims to keep their Cinderella story alive and beat the odds once more.

 

 

 

How To Watch The NIT Championship 2025

Today is the exciting NIT Championship, filled with thrilling games and unforgettable moments.

If you want to keep up with all the action, including our UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga predictions, there are plenty of ways to follow along:

TV Channels

  • ESPN

Streaming Options

  • YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV

UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga Game Details

  • Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
  • Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
  • Start Time: 9:00 PM ET
  • TV: ESPN

 

 

 

UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Novig quickly published the UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga odds and lines for the NIT Championship game between as soon as the matchup was announced.

Check out the latest numbers:

  • UC Irvine Anteaters (-151) vs. Chattanooga Mocs (+132)
    • Spread: UC Irvine -3.5 (+102) vs. Chattanooga +3.5 (-116)
    • Game Total: Over 145.5 (-111) vs. Under 145.5 (-103)

 

 

 

UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga Spread Pick: Anteaters -3.5 (+102 at Novig)

Looking to make UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga predictions, the Anteaters have shown themselves to be a well-rounded team throughout the tournament, performing strongly on both offense and defense. 

They score an average of 75.9 points per game and boast the second-best free throw percentage in the country at 80.6%, which is crucial for winning close games. Their three-point shooting at 35.2% also keeps opposing defenses on their toes. 

On the defensive side, UC Irvine limits their opponents to just 66.2 points per game, ranking 36th in the nation, and they have an impressive opponent field goal percentage of 39.6%, which is the 11th best. In contrast, Chattanooga relies heavily on its offense, averaging 78.9 points per game, but they struggle defensively, allowing 72.0 points per game. 

Additionally, the Mocs rank 284th in rebounding, which is a significant disadvantage against an Irvine team that averages 34.9 rebounds per game, placing them 43rd. The Anteaters' recent playoff performances further enhance their advantage. Devin Tillis, with 16.5 points per game, and Bent Leuchten, who averages 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, have been standout players, and their overall team depth ensures consistent contributions from all positions.

With their strong defense, rebounding ability, and clutch free-throw shooting, UC Irvine is likely to dictate the pace of the game and cover the -3.5 spread (+102 at Novig), which is our play in today’s UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga picks.

 

 

 

UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga Injury Report & Starting Lineup

UC Irvine Anteaters Injury Report

  • None

UC Irvine Anteaters Projected Starters

  • D. Tillis (F): 16.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG
  • B. Leuchten (C): 14.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG
  • J. Hohn (G): 13.3 PPG, 4.8 APG
  • M. Che (G): 10.5 PPG, 69.2 3P%
  • J. Dixon (G): 8.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG

Chattanooga Mocs Injury Report

  • None

Chattanooga Mocs Projected Starters

  • T. Bonham (G): 23.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG
  • H. Huff (G): 16.3 PPG, 43.5 MPG
  • B. Wieland (G): 15.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG
  • C. Mulholland (F): 11.0 PPG, 60.9 FG%
  • G. Keeslar (G/F): 3.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG

 

 

 

How To Bet On UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga At Novig & Claim $25 Bonus With Promo Code ALARM

Sign up now to quickly activate the awesome Novig promo code ALARM before we share our UC Irvine vs. Chattanooga predictions for the NIT Championship! With Novig, you compete against other players instead of the house, which means you can get the best odds available. 

You’ll be using Novig Coins for your bets, and there’s a Coin Store where you can find great deals. In the store, you can choose from different bundles worth up to $25. The best part? You won’t have to pay full price – you’ll automatically get a 50% discount!

It’s super easy, giving you plenty of time to explore the rest of the platform. But first, don’t forget to create your new account using the Novig promo code ALARM!