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The Indiana State Sycamores (32-6) and Seton Hall Pirates (24-12) meet Thursday in the NIT Final. Tip-off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Indiana State vs. Seton Hall odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Sycamores belted Utah 100-90 Tuesday in an NIT semifinal in Indianapolis, covering as 4.5-point favorites as the Over (161.5) cashed. Fan favorite C Robbie Avila — with his creative nicknames of “Cream Abdul Jabbar” and “Larry Nerd” — posted 26 points with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a block, while hitting 11-of-14 from the field. G Ryan Conwell ended up with 27 points, while draining 4 triples.
While Indiana State is 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last 3 games, Seton Hall is 3-0 ATS in its last 3. The Pirates advanced here with an 84-67 win over Georgia in their Tuesday semifinal at Hinkle. The Pirates covered as 5.5-point favorites and the Over (146) cashed.
This should come down to Indiana State’s offense vs. Seton Hall’s defense.
The Sycamores averaged 90.5 points per game in their 4 NIT contests; the Pirates yielded 66.3 PPG in their 4 NIT victories — the first win was an overtime victory over Saint Joseph’s.
Seton Hall hit 47.1% (32-of-68) from the field against Georgia, while knocking down 40.0% (8-of-20) from behind the 3-point line.
Indiana State hit 56.9% (37-of-65) from the field, including 35.3% (12-of-34) from behind the arc.
Seton Hall hasn’t covered in 4 straight games at any point this season.
Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Indiana State vs. Seton Hall odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Indiana State -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Seton Hall +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread: Indiana State -2.5 (-115) | Seton Hall +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Indiana State vs. Seton Hall and predictions
Prediction
Indiana State 85, Seton Hall 80
Moneyline
PASS.
Unless you don’t want to lay 2.5 points on the Indiana State spread, you can lay the -155 juice here with the Sycamores.
Against the spread
INDIANA STATE -2.5 (-115) is a decent play to get the job done by at least a trey.
The Sycamores are on fire offensively, going for 75 or more points in all 7 postseason games, and 11 straight games dating back to the regular season. If this team is hitting their shots, Indiana State is hard to beat, especially in front of a raucous crowd.
Indianapolis is just a little over an hour from the Sycamores’ campus in Terre Haute. Just like the semifinal, it will be a pro-Indiana State crowd at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The Sycamores are a solid 5-2 ATS in 7 postseason games, and they have won 3 of the past 4 games by 9 or more points.
Seton Hall (+125) has been a good play in this tournament. Just like the Sycamores, the Pirates have played hard, looking to make a statement after getting snubbed for the NCAA Tournament.
The difference here will be proximity to campus for Indiana State, and the crowd will spur on the Sycamores.
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Over/Under
OVER 159.5 (-110) is the way to go.
The Sycamores have posted 5 Over results in the past 6 outings, while the Pirates have hit the Over in the past 2 games. Seton Hall has averaged 87.5 PPG in the past 2 outings, while allowing 67.5 PPG. Look for plenty of offense in this battle for the trophy.
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