The Utah Runnin’ Utes (22-11) take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (27-10) in the NIT at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 27, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 140 points with neither team favored.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes Free Prediction
In the Hilltoppers’ last contest, they beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 92-84. One of Western Kentucky’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 30 trips to the line, eight more than Oklahoma State. With 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting, Taveion Hollingsworth was the game’s high scorer.
The Runnin’ Utes were victorious over the No. 25 Saint Mary’s Gaels in their last contest, 67-58. Utah’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Saint Mary’s. The Runnin’ Utes had a rate of 12.4 (better than their season average of 16.0), while the Gaels posted a mark of 19.2 (above their season average of 13.6). With 17 points and seven rebounds, Tyler Rawson had a solid outing for Utah.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a matchup of two heavyweights. The elite Western Kentucky offense ranks 51st in the NCAA in that metric at 0.544, while the top-notch Utah defense is ranked 56th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.482).
Western Kentucky heads into the contest with records of 27-10 straight up (SU) and 23-12 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Hilltoppers games, with 18 overs compared to 17 unders.
Meanwhile, Utah is 22-11 SU and 17-11-3 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Runnin’ Utes are involved, as 19 of their 35 games have gone under the total.
Justin Johnson has averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games for Western Kentucky.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Utah Runnin’ Utes Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Utah ranks 51st in three pointers attempted per game (25.2) while Western Kentucky ranks 313th (15.2).
The Runnin’ Utes rank 33rd in assists allowed per game (11.2) while the Hilltoppers rank 193rd (13.9).
Western Kentucky ranks 137th in rebounds per game (35.8) while Utah ranks 248th (33.6).
The Hilltoppers average 7.2 steals per game, which ranks 55th in the NCAA. The Runnin’ Utes rank 139th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
Utah averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 127th in the NCAA. Western Kentucky ranks 140th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Hilltoppers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, down from 8.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Runnin’ Utes have scored an average of 72.2 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.0 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
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