The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers missed out on a chance to make the NCAA men’s basketball tournament when they were knocked out of the Conference USA Tournament by Marshall. But they are making the most of their inclusion in the NIT.
The No. 4 seed Hilltoppers have knocked off Boston College, Southern California and Oklahoma State to make the NIT semifinals. They will face off against another high major foe in the No. 2 Utah Utes. Even though the Hilltoppers are the inferior seed and from a smaller conference, the oddsmakers believe this game could go either way in NIT NCAA basketball wagering.
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Odds Analysis
This game has been instituted as a pick ‘em by the oddsmakers and Western Kentucky has been the more popular pick with 65 percent of the action on the Hilltoppers to win. The scoring total has been set at 140 points and the “under” has been the much more popular choice, with more than 81 percent of the action predicting a lower-scoring game than pegged.
Western Kentucky is 27-10 straight up and 23-12 against the spread this season. The Hilltoppers have covered in five of six attempts on neutral courts this season. Western Kentucky is 16-11 against the spread as the favorite and 7-1 attempting to cover as the underdog.
Utah is 22-11 straight up and 18-11-2 against the spread. The Utes have gone 2-1-1 on neutral courts. Utah has covered in 12 of 17 attempts as the favorite and is 5-6-2 against the spread as the underdog.
Last Time Out
Western Kentucky made it here by knocking off Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals by a score of 92-84. The Hilltoppers got a huge game from freshman Taveion Hollingsworth, who tied his career high with 30 points to propel his team to the victory.
Western Kentucky shot 52.5 percent from the field, which helped make up for the fact that it had 10 turnovers to only six for Oklahoma State. The pace was fast but the Hilltoppers did a nice job on defense, limiting the Cowboys to only 38.9 percent shooting.
Utah advanced to the NIT semifinals with a 67-58 overtime victory over Saint Mary’s in the quarterfinals. Sedrick Barefield led the way with 19 points, including three 3-pointers in overtime to help wrap up the win.
Justin Bibbins had a chance to win the game in regulation for Utah but his shot missed. It didn’t matter, as Utah dominated in the extra session.
Player To Watch
Justin Johnson -- Even though Hollingsworth had the big game in the quarterfinals, Western Kentucky will be led by its senior forward. Johnson is averaging 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds this season, the third straight year in which he has averaged more than 14 points per game,
Johnson is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and has really improved his three-point shooting, hitting on 41.5 percent of his attempts from downtown on the year. Hollingsworth gave the team a huge boost last time out but Johnson is the leader and will be relied on to play well in this one.
Free NCAA ATS Picks
The computer projections like Western Kentucky to win this game about 62 percent of the time, so as a pick ‘em the choice is clear. Take advantage of this NCAA basketball betting line and jump on the Hilltoppers.
While March Madness demands the lion’s share of attention this time of year, the NIT has some good basketball on the horizon. Utah should be able to keep this game close but Western Kentucky will be the team that emerges victorious to advance to the NIT championship contest in NCAA basketball odds.
NCAA Odds: Western Kentucky 68, Utah 66
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