La Verne vs UC Riverside prediction: UC Riverside's exhibition with La Verne tests Argenal's year-two rebuild
A Division III visitor gives UC Riverside a low-stakes first look at a reshaped roster after a 10-22 season and a preseason slot near the bottom of the Big West.
- UC Riverside should control a Division III opponent; the useful information is how the newcomers fit, not the margin.
- Watch ball security: the Highlanders' 18.5% turnover rate ranked 287th last season, and a weaker opponent shows whether that habit carried over.
- No spread or total has been posted for this exhibition. Last season's 70.4-possession pace, 58th nationally, hints at an up-tempo game.
Year two, with new pieces
Gus Argenal took over in Riverside after Cal State San Bernardino, and this upcoming season is his second. The first ended at 10-22, and the Highlanders' adjusted net efficiency (points per 100 possessions relative to opponents, adjusted for schedule) finished at -10.1, 273rd of 365.
The outlook is muted. UC Riverside is projected 11th of 12 in one Big West preseason ranking, and UC Irvine was picked to win the league. The roster page adds transfers James Evans Jr. (CSUN), Parker Strauss (Northwestern) and Tyus Parrish-Tillman (Biola), plus freshman guard Brayden Harris. How much of last season's rotation returns isn't known, so last season's numbers are a loose guide.
What to watch in a tune-up
La Verne is a Division III program from the SCIAC, and Southern Utah beat the Leopards 117-55 last season. The scoreboard here will say little. The habits will say more.
Last season UC Riverside played fast, at 70.4 possessions per 40 minutes, but gave the ball away often. Its defense also put opponents on the line: opponents' free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) was 39.2%, 300th nationally. Against a smaller, less skilled opponent, a cleaner game in both areas would be an early sign of progress.
Exhibition, not a betting card
La Verne's schedule lists this Monday, Nov. 2 game as an exhibition, so it isn't expected to count toward either team's record. No line had been posted as of Oct. Neither school had reported injury or eligibility news. Tip is set for 10:00 PM ET at SRC Arena.
Where the money is on La Verne vs UC Riverside
On the Kalshi moneyline: La Verne: 83% of bets, 4% of the money; UC Riverside: 17% of bets, 96% of the money.
Numbers that matter
| Last season's record | 10-22 | Argenal's first season in Riverside set a low baseline for year two. |
|---|---|---|
| Last season's turnover rate | 18.5% | Ranked 287th of 365, the habit most worth checking against a Division III defense. |
| Last season's pace | 70.4 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 58th fastest, pointing to a high-possession exhibition. |
| Opponent free throw rate last season | 39.2% | Ranked 300th, showing how often the Highlanders' defense sent opponents to the line. |
La Verne vs UC Riverside: quick answers
When is La Verne vs UC Riverside?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET.
Where is the money on La Verne vs UC Riverside?
On the Kalshi moneyline: La Verne: 83% of bets, 4% of the money; UC Riverside: 17% of bets, 96% of the money.