New Mexico vs Utah Valley NIT March Madness Picks 3/15
- Kingpin
- Mar 14, 2023, 9:13:24 PM
Photo Credit © Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
As the March Madness tournament is just around the corner, college basketball fans are eagerly waiting to see their favorite teams compete for the national championship. In the meantime, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is also underway, and we have an exciting matchup between the New Mexico Lobos and the Utah Valley Wolverines. In this article, we'll break down each team's analysis, betting trends, public betting data, odds, injuries, and provide our prediction and pick.
New Mexico Lobos
The Lobos finished with an 8-10 record in Mountain West Conference (MWC) games and a 14-1 record in non-conference games. They lead the MWC with 36.4 points in the paint, thanks to Morris Udeze, who is averaging 11.6 points per game. Jamal Mashburn Jr. leads the team with an average of 19.5 points per game, while Udeze has been averaging 17.9 points over the last 10 games.
Utah Valley Wolverines
The Wolverines finished with a 15-3 record against Western Athletic Conference (WAC) teams and are currently the WAC leader with 28.3 defensive rebounds per game. Aziz Bandaogo is leading the team with an average of 7.4 rebounds per game. Trey Woodbury has been averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, while Le'Tre Darthard has been averaging 17.8 points over the last 10 games.
Betting Trends:
According to the latest March Madness odds Vegas, the Wolverines are favored to win with a point spread of -4.5. The total points over/under is set at 140.5. The Wolverines have covered the spread in six of their last eight games, while the Lobos have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last ten games.
Public Betting Data:
As of writing this article, 67% of the public is betting on the Wolverines to cover the spread, while 33% is betting on the Lobos.
Odds:
Moneyline: New Mexico +170, Utah Valley -200
Spread: New Mexico +4.5 (-110), Utah Valley -4.5 (-110)
Total Points: Over 140.5 (-110), Under 140.5 (-110)
Injuries:
There are no significant injuries reported for both teams.
Prediction:
While both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, the Wolverines seem to be the more consistent and stronger team overall. With a solid defense and a good rebounding game, they have the edge over the Lobos. However, the Lobos' ability to score in the paint could pose a challenge for the Wolverines. Ultimately, we predict that the Wolverines will win with a final score of 78-72, covering the spread.
Pick: Utah Valley Wolverines (-4.5)
