The Grand Canyon Antelopes (23-11) attempt to finish off their season in style with a win over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (22-11) in the WAC Championship Game Saturday. Tip from Orleans Arena in Las Vegas is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Grand Canyon vs. Southern Utah odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Grand Canyon upset top-seeded Sam Houston State in a Friday semifinal 78-75. F Noah Baumann’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 51 seconds left broke a 73-all tie for the 5th-seeded Lopes, who were 3-point underdogs — the Over 127 easily cashed. G Kobe Knox led GCU with 21 points, while Baumann and G Chance McMillian finished with 17 points apiece.
No. 3 seed Southern Utah knocked off No. 2 seed Utah Valley 89-88 in the other semifinal to punch its ticket into this game. G Tevian Jones’ 4-point play — 3-pointer and free throw — with 4 seconds left completed the wild finish. Jones scored a team-high 20 points and G Harrison Butler added 19 for the Thunderbirds, who were 4-point underdogs — Over 151 was also a winner.
The Antelopes and Thunderbirds met just once this season with Grand Canyon claiming an 83-78 upset as a 5-point road underdog March 1 with the Over 149 hitting.
Southern Utah finished 3rd in the WAC with a 12-6 conference record and Grand Canyon tied for 4th at 11-7, but now both are 1 win away from being the league’s lone representative in the NCAA Tournament.
Both enter Saturday night’s title game on winning streaks. Southern Utah has won 3 in a row and Grand Canyon comes in sporting a 5-game winning streak.
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Grand Canyon vs. Southern Utah odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:54 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Grand Canyon +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Southern Utah -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Grand Canyon +1.5 (-115) | Southern Utah -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Grand Canyon vs. Southern Utah picks and predictions
Prediction
Grand Canyon 85, Southern Utah 82
Moneyline
BET GRAND CANYON (+100).
As mentioned, these teams faced off just once this season with GCU pulling off a 5-point victory on the road at Southern Utah.
The Antelopes are riding high — with their 5-game win streak, including Friday’s victory over top-seeded Sam Houston State.
Southern Utah is favored incorrectly in this one. With the value being on Grand Canyon, I will take the ANTELOPES (+100).
Against the spread
PASS.
Since we’re taking the Grand Canyon moneyline, there is no need to make a spread wager on GCU +1.5 (-115).
This will be a back-and-forth game, which will come down to the end. When the final buzzer goes off, the Antelopes will have a straight-up win and the small 1.5-point spread won’t be a factor.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 148.5 (-110).
According to Covers.com, Southern Utah ranks 285th in defense, allowing 73.5 points per game, while ranking 6th in offense at 83.0 PPG.
Grand Canyon’s defense allows 63.8 PPG to rank, but it will be unable to slow down the Southern Utah. GCU averages 71.2 PPG on the offensive end to rank 169th.
The Antelopes will be forced to keep pace with Thunderbirds and a shootout is in store Saturday.
Despite the solid defense, Grand Canyon games have gone Over the total in 24 of its past 28 games Southern Utah has gone Over in 16 of its past 23 neutral site games.
Defense will be optional, but points won’t be. This O/U total of 148.5 is too low. OVER is the bet here.
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