The set-up: Cal Irvine comes to Illinois Chicago with a 7-6 record. The Flames are the "hungrier" team here in my estimation after starting just 4-8. UIC returns home for the first time in three games, which I believe is going to help it tremendously. UCI though is playing its third straight away from friendly confines and I believe this works against it. UCI comes in off a dishearening 67-61 loss to UTEP in the championship game of the Sun Bowl Tournament on December 17th as well.

The pick: UIC is fighting hard and will be in a particularly foul mood here after falling 67-66 to Illinois State last time out. Tarkus Ferguson was a bright spot in defeat with 22 points. Not as well that UIC is already 3-1 ATS this season off a road loss, while UCI is only 1-3 ATS in its last four as a favorite. In a contest which I envision coming down to the final moments, I'm grabbing the points.

10* SITUATIONAL DESTRUCTION on Illinois Chicago.