The UTSA Roadrunners (18-13, 11-7 CUSA) square off against the UTEP Miners (11-19, 6-12 CUSA) in the Conference USA Conference Tourney at Ford Center at The Star. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
UTSA is a 2.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 143.5 points.
UTEP Miners vs. UTSA Roadrunners Free Prediction
The Miners come in on a high note after edging the North Texas Mean Green in their last outing, 68-66. UTEP had an effective field goal percentage of 0.578 (above their season average of 0.500). North Texas, meanwhile, held the Miners to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.3 (below their season average of 19.8). UTEP was led by Omega Harris, who was the game’s high scorer with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
In the Roadrunners’ last game, they had no trouble getting past the Rice Owls, 79-60. UTSA launched 34 three pointers, making 15 of them (44.1 percent). Rice, meanwhile, was 7-31 (22.6 percent). Deon Lyle was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 11-for-24 shooting.
It will be a showdown of opposite paces as the fast-paced Roadrunners will look to push the slower-paced Miners. The Roadrunners currently rank 28th in possessions per game while the Miners are 201st. Moreover, the Miners, who rank 347th in offensive rebounding percentage (19.6 percent), might struggle to get second chance points against the Roadrunners, who rank 59th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.3 percent).
UTEP holds records of 11-19 straight up (SU) and 11-14 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Miners’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, UTSA owns records of 18-13 SU and 15-10 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total high when the Roadrunners are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
The Roadrunners have emerged victorious in both contests against the Miners this year, including a 63-59 victory in their last matchup. UTSA covered as a 2-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 122 points, which was 26.5 points below the projected point total of 148.5 points. The Roadrunners’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Miners. UTSA had a rate of 23.1, while UTEP posted a mark of 11.4. Nick Allen was a standout player in the game, producing 9 points and 13 rebounds.
UTEP Miners vs. UTSA Roadrunners Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UTEP, ATS Winner – UTEP, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
UTSA averages 39.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 12th in the NCAA. UTEP ranks 264th in rebounds allowed per game (38.1).
The Roadrunners rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.3) while the Miners rank 245th in three pointers allowed per game (23.8).
UTSA ranks 107th in assists per game (14.2) while UTEP ranks 277th (10.6).
The Miners rank first in blocks allowed per game (1.8) while the Roadrunners rank 144th (3.6).
UTSA ranks 117th in steals per game (6.4) while UTEP ranks 255th (4.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, UTEP is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
UTSA is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Miners’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 3.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Roadrunners have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
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