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The Nevada Wolf Pack (26-7) and Dayton Flyers (24-7) meet Thursday for an NCAA Tournament first-round game. Tip-off from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nevada vs. Dayton odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Nevada, the 10th seed in the West Region, won the final 7 games of the regular season, but it lost 85-78 against Colorado State in the 1st game of the Mountain West Tournament. Still, the Wolf Pack have posted an impressive 6-2 against the spread (ATS) mark in the past 8 games while going 9-3 ATS in the previous 12 outings. The Over has cashed in 6 in a row for the Pack.
No. 7 seed Dayton was stunned in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in the 1st game by Duquesne, which eventually went on to win the tourney. Still, UD has managed just a 3-3 straight up (SU) mark across the past 6 outings while going 2-5 ATS in the past 7 contests. The Over is on a 6-1 run for the Flyers.
This is the 1st time in school history that these teams have met each other on the hardwood.
– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Nevada vs. Dayton odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:40 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nevada -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Dayton +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nevada -1.5 (-105) | Dayton +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nevada vs. Dayton and predictions
Prediction
Nevada 75, Dayton 70
Moneyline
NEVADA (-120) is worth playing straight up, if you don’t want to fool around with the small amount of points.
The Wolf Pack are the lower seed, but the slight favorites. Nevada has been playing arguably better basketball than the Flyers, going 7-1 SU in the past 8 games, while going 10-2 SU in 12 games dating back to Feb. 2.
Dayton (+100) limped to the finish line of the regular season, dropping 3 of the final 8 games, while getting ousted by Duquesne in the A-10 quarterfinals last Thursday.
Against the spread
NEVADA -1.5 (-105) is slightly cheaper laying the little bit of points. Unless you’re dead set on Nevada winning, but only by a single point, then betting the moneyline over the spread makes sense. If not, save a little bit, and take Nevada to cover.
Dayton +1.5 (-115) is just 2-5 ATS in the past 7 games, while Nevada has managed an impressive 6-2 ATS mark in the previous 8 outings.
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Over/Under
OVER 136.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.
The Over has connected in 6 consecutive games for the Wolf Pack, with UNR going for 74 or more points in each of the past 7 contests.
The Over has been a frequent occurrence for the Flyers, too, cashing in 6 of the past 7 games, while going 10-4-1 in the past 15 outings.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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