Missouri vs Utah State Prediction, March 15, 2023

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The NCAA Men's Basketball Championship is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, and fans across the country are gearing up for the South Region 1st Round game between Missouri and Utah State. The game is scheduled for March 16, 2023, at 10:40 AM on TNT at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA. In this article, we will provide an extended preview of both teams, including their strengths and weaknesses, and make a prediction on the outcome of the game.

Missouri Tigers

The Missouri Tigers have had an impressive season, finishing with a record of 24-9. They are a balanced team that can score points in a variety of ways, with their offensive efficiency being one of their biggest strengths. They rank 34th in the nation in points per game, averaging 77.5 points per game. Their offensive versatility and balanced scoring have been critical to their success this season.

The Tigers are led by senior guard Kobe Brown, who averages 15.8 points per game. Brown is an excellent scorer who can create his own shot and is also an efficient shooter from beyond the arc, where he hits 38.2% of his attempts. He is also an excellent rebounder, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, which makes him a significant contributor to the Tigers' game on both ends of the court.

Xavier Pinson is another player who has been critical to Missouri's success this season. The junior guard averages 12.8 points per game and is an efficient shooter from beyond the arc, hitting 38.4% of his attempts. Pinson is an excellent ball-handler and playmaker who can create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Javon Pickett is also a consistent contributor to Missouri's offense, averaging 10.9 points per game. The junior guard is an efficient scorer, shooting 46.5% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc. He is also an excellent defender and rebounder, averaging 4.5 rebounds per game.

Amari Davis is another player who has emerged as a significant contributor to Missouri's offense in recent games. The sophomore guard has been a consistent scorer, averaging 10.0 points per game. He is an excellent three-point shooter, hitting 40.0% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Defensively, the Tigers are solid, ranking 62nd in the nation in points allowed per game, conceding just 66.9 points per game. They have a solid defense that is capable of making stops and limiting their opponents' scoring opportunities. They contest every shot and force their opponents into tough, contested shots, limiting their scoring opportunities.

However, one area where Missouri could improve is their three-point shooting efficiency. They rank just 195th in the nation in three-point percentage, shooting just 33.8% from beyond the arc. If they are going to make a deep run in the tournament, they will need to shoot the ball better from long range and knock down open shots.

Utah State Aggies

The Utah State Aggies have been one of the most consistent teams in college basketball this season, finishing with a record of 26-8. They have excelled in several areas of the game, with their defense and rebounding being the two most impressive aspects of their play. Their success on these fronts is largely attributed to the contributions of their senior forward Justin Bean, who averages 8.6 rebounds per game, and junior center Neemias Queta, who averages 9.9 rebounds per game.

Utah State's defense has been the cornerstone of their success this season, and it is expected to play a critical role in their tournament run. The Aggies rank 20th in the nation in points allowed per game, conceding just 62.7 points per game. They have a stifling defense that is capable of suffocating opponents, especially on the perimeter, where they rank 11th in the nation in three-point field goal defense. They contest every shot and force their opponents into tough, contested shots, limiting their scoring opportunities. Their suffocating defense will be an essential factor in their game against Missouri, who are a strong offensive team.

On the offensive end, Utah State is led by senior guard Steven Ashworth, who averages 16.3 points per game. Ashworth is an excellent scorer who can create his own shot and knock down shots from beyond the arc. He is also an adept passer, averaging 4.5 assists per game. His offensive versatility and leadership have been a significant contributor to the Aggies' success this season.

Another player who has been instrumental to Utah State's offensive game is Rollie Worster. The sophomore guard averages 13.3 points per game and has been a consistent scorer for the Aggies this season. He is an efficient scorer, shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc. He is also an excellent rebounder, averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.

The Aggies also have several other players who can contribute offensively, including Justin Bean, who averages 10.5 points per game, and Brock Miller, who averages 9.1 points per game. Miller is an excellent three-point shooter, hitting 38.3% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

One area where Utah State could improve is their shooting efficiency. They rank 228th in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting just 43.2% from the field. However, their offensive versatility and balanced scoring make up for their shooting inefficiencies.

In conclusion, the Utah State Aggies are a well-rounded team that has the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Their defense and rebounding have been their strengths this season, while Steven Ashworth and Rollie Worster have been critical to their offensive game.

BETTING TRENDS

Utah State are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.

Utah State are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games.

Utah State are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.

Utah State are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in March.

Utah State are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games played on a Thursday.

Missouri are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Missouri's last 5 games against an opponent in the Mountain West conference.

The total has gone OVER in 8 of Missouri's last 9 games played in March.

Missouri are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games played on a Thursday.

Prediction

Both Utah State and Missouri are strong teams that have had successful seasons. However, we believe that Utah State has the edge in this game for several reasons. First, their defense and rebounding will allow them to control the tempo of the game and limit Missouri's scoring opportunities. Second, their offense is led by a talented scorer in Steven Ashworth, who can create his own shot and knock down shots from beyond the arc. Ashworth's ability to score in a variety of ways will make it difficult for Missouri to defend him effectively.

Furthermore, Utah State has been battle-tested this season, playing in a tough Mountain West Conference that features several quality teams. They have played in high-pressure situations and know how to handle the intensity and pressure of tournament play. This experience could give them an advantage over Missouri, who plays in a weaker SEC conference.

Another factor that could give Utah State an edge is their recent form. They have won four of their last five games, including a victory over Boise State in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. Missouri, on the other hand, has lost two of their last three games, including a loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament.

Finally, Utah State has the statistical advantage in this matchup, with ESPN Analytics giving them a 60.9% chance of winning the game. Their defense and rebounding, coupled with their scoring ability, make them a difficult team to beat.

In conclusion, we predict that Utah State will win the game against Missouri. While both teams are strong and capable of winning, Utah State's defense, rebounding, and recent form give them the edge in this matchup. Fans should expect a competitive game between two talented teams, but ultimately, we believe that Utah State will emerge victorious.

PICK: Utah State ML (-125)

KingPin.pro is a top-rated sports betting app for both iOS and Android that provides real-time odds, public betting data, and betting trends to help users make informed decisions when placing bets on a variety of sports, including NCAAB picks. The app's comprehensive data analysis and user-friendly interface have made it a popular choice for sports bettors looking for an edge.

One of the unique features of KingPin.pro is its platform for users to connect with NCAAB experts and gain access to their picks. Users can create an account and purchase NCAAB expert picks, among other sports. Moreover, KingPin.pro also allows users to place their own NCAAB picks and compete for a spot in the top 10 leaderboard, incentivizing them to make informed and accurate NCAAB picks and rewarding them for their success.

Furthermore, users can purchase access to view all NCAAB picks on the site, not just those from the handicappers they follow, giving them more insight into the overall trends and predictions of the community to make more informed NCAAB betting decisions.

Overall, KingPin.pro provides a unique platform for sports bettors to access NCAAB expert picks, compete against others, and make their own NCAAB picks to potentially earn money. With its iOS and Android app, it is easy to access and use, making it a convenient choice for NCAAB picks and other sports betting needs. .