First Four: Nevada vs. Arizona State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday Nevada vs. Arizona State First Four odds and lines, with college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

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The 11-seed Nevada Wolf Pack (22-10) meet the 11-seed Arizona State Sun Devils (22-12) Wednesday in a First Four game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip from UD Arena in Dayton is scheduled for approximately 9:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nevada vs. Arizona State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Nevada was playing tremendous basketball through mid-February, but the Wolf Pack has dropped 4 of the last 6 games, while going 2-4 against the spread (ATS) during the slide.

The Wolf Pack offense struggled this season, going for 72.5 PPG to rank No. 160 in the country. They’re a so-so shooting team, both from the field, and from behind the arc. Nevada hit 44.6% from the floor, and 34.8% on 3-pointers. What Nevada does well is hit free throws, going 78.8% to rank 6th in the nation.

Nevada was solid defensively, allowing just 66.4 PPG and 41.6% shooting from the field. However, it allowed 75 or more points in 3 of the last 6 games, all losses, including games against 2 non-NCAA Tournament teams.

Arizona State made a nice run in the Pac-12 Tournament, finally getting dispatched in the semifinals by rival Arizona. The Sun Devils do have a win in Arizona back on Feb. 25, and it scored wins over tournament teams Creighton, USC and VCU this season.

The Sun Devils have won 6 of their last 10 games overall, while covering 4 of the last 7 games.

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Nevada vs. Arizona State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:13 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Nevada +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Arizona State -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Nevada +1.5 (-118) | Arizona State -1.5 (-102)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Nevada vs. Arizona State picks and predictions

Prediction

Arizona State 69, Nevada 64

Moneyline

ARIZONA STATE (-130) is a smart play on the moneyline if you don’t want to mess around with the small point spread, which should yo-yo up to tip time.

Nevada (+110) has dropped 3 in a row, all against non-NCAA Tournament teams, and it is just 2-4 straight up (SU) in the last 6 outings. The Wolf Pack offense has struggled, going for 67 or fewer points in 3 of its last 4 games in regulation. In addition, Nevada has won just twice in the last 8 tries off campus since  Jan. 7.

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Against the spread

ARIZONA STATE -1.5 (-102) is slightly cheaper than on the moneyline, and it simply needs to win by a bucket.

The Sun Devils are 4-2 ATS in 6 neutral-site games this season, while Nevada +1.5 (-118) has lost and failed to cover in 2 of its 4 games on a neutral floor, including a stunning loss to Mountain West doormat San Jose State in the opening game of the conference tournament.

Over/Under

UNDER 133.5 (-115) is the lean, ever so slightly, but go with a half-unit play at best.

Arizona State really struggled from the field, hitting just 41.8% from the floor, and 31.3% from behind the 3-point line. Defensively, Sparky had it on lockdown, allowing teams to shoot just 39.4%, while allowing 67.6 PPG.

For Nevada, the Under is 4-2 in the last 6 games overall, and 2-0 in neutral-site games decided in regulation this season. The Pack was also so-so on offense, while doing a decent job defensively.

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