UT Arlington has looked really impressive through the first two games, using a high-powered offense to knock off BYU and then Akron, and will aim to topple the CSU Bakersfield which has been equally as impressive.
While the Roadrunners entered the NIT as one of the lowest-rated teams, they have knocked off top-seeded California and No. 4 Colorado State in back-to-back games to set up this matchup of small schools.
Arlington has the home court advantage, which could be the reason it is a small favorite in this game.
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College Basketball Odds
UT-Arlington is 27-8 straight up and 18-11-1 against the spread on the season. The Mavericks have played in nine home games with a spread this season and have gone 6-2-1 in those contests. UT-Arlington has gone 12-10-1 as the favorite against the spread this year and has covered in six of seven attempts as the underdog.
Cal State Bakersfield is 24-9 straight up and 4-5 against the spread. The Roadrunners have played in five road games this season and have covered in three of them. Cal State Bakersfield is 1-4 against the spread as the favorite and has covered in three of four attempts as the underdog.
Last Time Out
Cal State Bakersfield had an impressive showing against Colorado State on the road. The Roadrunners dominated from downtown in the first half to jump out to a 20-point lead and cruised to an 81-63 victory. Cal State Bakersfield was led by Jaylin Airington, who had 19 points.
UT-Arlington led by 13 points at intermission against Akron and cruised to the 85-69 win. The Mavericks are averaging 95 points per game in the NIT and it will be an interesting matchup against a Cal State Bakersfield team which has a good defense.
The Mavericks had six players score in double figures last time out, including a team-high 18 points by Kaelon Wilson.
Player to Watch
Kevin Hervey -- UT Arlington's junior forward will be a handful to guard. He is averaging 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. He averaged more than 18 points per game as a sophomore so has been the go-to guy for a couple of years for the Mavericks,
Hervey had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals last time out. He had 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the opening-round win over BYU as the team compiled 105 points. UT Arlington is averaging 78.1 points per game on the season and has excelled offensively during the NIT.
Hervey is shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range, so CSU Bakersfield must be aware of his ability to score from any spot on the court.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Both of these teams have pulled some solid upsets to get this far and are now close to reaching the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. UT-Arlington is playing really well offensively, and if it can knock down open shots, that should be enough.
This one should be competitive but the Mavericks have a little bit more firepower which should end up being the difference. However, the score should be close, so keep an eye on the spread as the Roadrunners may cover.
College Basketball Odds: UT-Arlington 71, Cal State Bakersfield 69
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