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The Utah Utes (22-14) and Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) meet Tuesday in an NIT semifinal. Tip-off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah vs. Indiana State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Utes have rattled off 3 straight wins and covers in the NIT since getting knocked out of the Pac-12 Tournament by Colorado on March 14. The Utes have averaged 83.0 points per game (PPG) in 3 NIT contests, while cashing the Over in 2 of those outings.
The Sycamores have won 3 in a row since getting bumped in the Missouri Valley Conference final against Drake on March 10. The Indiana State offense has been fire in the NIT, going for 87.3 PPG in 3 games, while going 2-1 against the spread (ATS). The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 postseason outings, too.
Georgia and Seton Hall will play in the other NIT semifinal — scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).
Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Utah vs. Indiana State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Utah +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Indiana State -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Utah +3.5 (-110) | Indiana State -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 163.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Utah vs. Indiana State and predictions
Prediction
Indiana State 86, Utah 81
Moneyline
INDIANA STATE (-175) will cost you, but it isn’t priced out of line if you just want to play the winner and you don’t want to fiddle around with the points.
The Sycamores have ripped off 5 wins in 6 outings in the postseason, while posting 9 victories in the past 10 outings since Feb. 21.
Utah (+145), on the other hand, is just 8-9 in the past 17 games despite the run to the NIT semis.
Against the spread
INDIANA STATE -3.5 (-110) is worth a look as it tries to advance to the NIT title game despite the fact Utah +3.5 (-110) has been red-hot against the number. The Utes have cashed at a 4-1 ATS pace in the postseason, while going 7-2 ATS in the past 9 games since Feb. 29.
However, the Sycamores are a solid 4-2 ATS in 6 games in the postseason, and this team has posted 9 wins in the past 10 outings. As a single-digit favorite, Indiana State is 9-5 ATS in the past 14 instances.
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Over/Under
OVER 163.5 (-110) is the lean in this NIT semifinal matchup.
The total has gone high in 4 of the past 5 games for Indiana State, while going 6-3 in the past 9 outings since Feb. 24. The Sycamores were one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, going for 84.5 PPG, while hitting at a 50.4% pace from the field, and 38.4% from behind the 3-point line.
Indiana State doesn’t leave many points on the floor, either, cashing in at a 79.7% pace from the free-throw line, for which Over bettors are thankful. And the defense is just so-so, conceding 72.0 PPG.
For Utah, it is hitting at a 78.3 PPG clip this season, and it is a respectable 46.6% from the field, and 35.8% from three. But the Utes are horrific at the free-throw line, cashing in at just a 65.0% clip, so that’s a concern. Defensively, they’re not very good, allowing 73.2 PPG, and teams hit triples at a 34.2% pace, which was in the bottom third in the nation.
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