The 4th-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats (23-12) and unseeded Utah Valley Wolverines (27-8) meet Wednesday in a NIT quarterfinal at UCCU Arena in Orem, Utah. Tip is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Cincinnati at Utah Valley odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Despite a higher seed, the Bearcats hit the road for UCCU Arena in Orem because of renovations at Cincinnati’s home arena.
Cincinnati was able to host Virginia Tech in the 1st round, winning 81-72 as a 5.5-point favorite. It played at Hofstra Saturday, winning 79-65 as a 1-point favorite. The Under has cashed in all 4 of Cincinnati’s postseason games to date.
Utah Valley suffered a devastating loss in the WAC Tournament semifinals in an amazing game against Southern Utah. The Wolverines frittered away a 23-point lead in the second half, and were beaten when SUU converted a 4-point play in the final seconds.
Instead of pouting, UVU bounced back with a pair of road wins and covers against New Mexico and Colorado. The Wolverines are averaging 82.0 PPG, while allowing 69.0 PPG in the NIT. Utah Valley is 10-2 ATS in the last 12 games overall.
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Cincinnati at Utah Valley odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cincinnati -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Utah Valley -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cincinnati -1.5 (+105) | Utah Valley +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cincinnati at Utah Valley picks and predictions
Prediction
Cincinnati 73, Utah Valley 69
Moneyline
CINCINNATI (-110) is a decent play on the moneyline, as the AAC team hits the road for a challenging battle. Utah Valley (-120) has not pouted about its WAC semifinal stunner, but embraced the NIT experience, its 1st in school history. Still, the Bearcats are a seasoned team with the goods to go the distance.
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Against the spread
CINCINNATI -1.5 (+105) is certainly worth a look at plus-money, as the Bearcats should be able to get it done by at least a bucket.
The Bearcats are on a 21-8 ATS run in the last 29 games overall, while cashing in 4 of the last 5 against winning teams.
Utah Valley +1.5 (-125) has been hot against the number, going 21-5 ATS in the last 26 games overall. However, it is just 3-8 ATS in the last 11 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Over/Under
The UNDER 147.5 (-115) is the lean.
The Under has cashed in 4 straight for the Bearcats, while going 3-1-1 in the last 5 against teams with a winning percentage over .600.
For the Wolverines, the Under is 9-4-1 in the last 14 games overall, while going 5-2-1 in the last 8 home games against teams with a losing road mark.
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