The Utah Runnin’ Utes (20-11) square off against the LSU Tigers (18-14) in the NIT at Jon M. Huntsman Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 149 points with Utah set as a 4.5-point favorite.
LSU Tigers vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes Free Prediction
The Tigers come in on a high note after beating the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in their last game, 84-76. One of LSU’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 30 trips to the line, while Louisiana went 19 times. With 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, Duop Reath was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Runnin’ Utes’ last matchup, they were victorious over the UC Davis Aggies, 69-59. The Runnin’ Utes knocked down 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent) and held the Aggies to an effective field goal percentage of 0.440 (below their season average of 0.528). Justin Bibbins was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 5-for-11 shooting.
The productive offense of Utah (94th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 109.5) will go head-to-head against the mid-tier defense of LSU (254th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 106.9). The Runnin’ Utes should have the edge on that end of the court.
LSU comes into the game with records of 18-14 straight up (SU) and 14-11-4 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Tigers’ games have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Utah owns records of 20-11 SU and 15-11-3 ATS. Games featuring the Runnin’ Utes have a tendency to finish under the total (62.1 percent).
LSU Tigers at Utah Runnin’ Utes Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – LSU, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah averages 25.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation. LSU ranks 241st in three pointers allowed per game (23.7).
The Tigers rank 28th in steals per game (7.6) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 212th (5.3).
Utah ranks 32nd in assists allowed per game (11.2) while LSU ranks 86th (12.4).
The Runnin’ Utes rank 115th in blocks per game (3.5) while the Tigers rank 146th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Utah ranks 234th in rebounds per game (33.7) while LSU ranks 249th (33.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 3.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Runnin’ Utes have scored an average of 68.2 points per game (5.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.6 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
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