The Wagner Seahawks (22-6) face the Bryant Bulldogs (22-9) Tuesday in the Northeast Conference championship game. Tip-off from Chase Athletic Center in Smithfield, R.I., is at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we look at the Wagner vs. Bryant odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Seahawks have come alive in the tourney, winning games over St. Francis (PA) and Long Island by an average of 24.5 points. Wagner scored exactly 82 points in each game and allowed an average of 57.5 PPG. Needless to say, Wagner will get a much bigger test at Bryant in the title game.
The Bulldogs, the top seed in the NEC, earned the right to host the Seahawks. Bryant won 78-70 at home in its regular-season finale Feb. 26 against Wagner, covering a 4.5-point number as the Under hit. Wagner topped Bryant 84-81 in overtime Jan. 6 in the first meeting, although the Bulldogs covered the 8-point spread.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Wagner at Bryant odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:53 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Wagner +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Bryant -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wagner +3.5 (-102) | Bryant -3.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Wagner at Bryant odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bryant 74, Wagner 70
Money line
BRYANT (-190) is a little on the expensive side, costing you nearly two times your potential return, but it is a decent play if you’d like a little less stress. As mentioned, these teams split the regular-season series, so you can expect a close game.
Against the spread
BRYANT -3.5 (-122) is the play here, although go lightly. This is going to be a very close game, as Wagner comes in burgeoning with confidence. If this were a neutral-site game, or at Wagner, Bryant would have its work cut out. However, playing at home gives the Bulldogs a decisive advantage.
Over/Under
The UNDER 149.5 (-108) is the way to go. While Bryant is a strong offense squad, and defensive play isn’t exactly its forte, Wagner is a tremendous defensive club. The Seahawks ranked 11th in the nation during the regular season with just 60.1 PPG allowed.
However, Wagner isn’t a great offensive club and it averages just 69.3 PPG. This won’t be a defensive slog, but it won’t be an end-to-end game, either. In addition, both of these teams rank 314th or worse nationally in 3-point shooting percentage.
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