Louisiana Tech vs. UAB Odds
| Louisiana Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 137 -110o / -110u | +134 |
| UAB Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 137 -110o / -110u | -162 |
After two completely different semifinal games, Louisiana Tech and UAB will meet in the Conference USA Tournament Championship to decide which team gets to go dancing
To give you an idea of just how different their semifinal wins were, Louisiana Tech tied the fewest points by a winning team in Division I this year vs. North Texas, while UAB went to triple overtime with Middle Tennessee (a combined 200 points were scored).
If you read my C-USA Tournament preview, we are sitting pretty good with futures on both teams in the final. But if you didn't, let's take a look at how to bet this matchup.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Louisiana Tech defense can win this game for the team, and the unit would give anyone it sees in the first round of the NCAA Tournament a decent challenge, plain and simple.
But can the Bulldogs' offense score enough to make that defense worth while?
Kenneth Lofton Jr. is more than just the leader on the offensive end for the Bulldogs; he is the offensive end. Lofton is the only Bulldog averaging more than 13 points per game.
Against a UAB offense that is one of the best Louisiana Tech has seen all year, the Bulldogs will not only need an outstanding defensive performance, but they will need to maintain a level of scoring to keep up.
Louisiana Tech has struggled with turnovers and rebounding, two statistics it'll need to hold its ground in vs. UAB.
Against North Texas, the Bulldogs were able to win the rebounding battle. They also only had one more turnover than the Mean Green.
A similar performance could be enough to break out the dancing shoes for the Bulldogs.
UAB Blazers
The Blazers had two starters foul out against Middle Tennessee, but when they needed him most, Jordan Walker stepped up. Walker dropped 40 points to help UAB advance to the C-USA Championship, but I don't think that's something he can recreate against Louisiana Tech.
UAB's offense has been one of the best in the country this season. The Blazers rank 29th nationally in offensive efficiency, while also being the 12th-best 3-point shooting team in all of Division I.
Creating blocks and turnovers will go a long way for the Blazers if they want to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. UAB is first in the conference in steal percentage, while also being second in block percentage.
In the previous two meetings vs. the Bulldogs this season, the Blazers handled their opponent easily enough, winning by seven on the road and 13 at home.
But will the three-overtime game they just played impact the third meeting? And if so, how much?
Louisiana Tech vs. UAB Betting Pick
I think UAB playing three overtimes in its last game will have a considerable impact on the team. And while Walker was unconscious against Middle Tennessee, I can't see him going off for another 40 points in this game, especially with Louisiana Tech focusing on him.
The Louisiana Tech defense should be able to slow down UAB enough to make this a close game. It shut down the best team in the conference on Friday, holding North Texas to only 36 points.
The Bulldogs have gotten hot at the right time, and a fresh Lofton should be able to make a more significant impact than a likely exhausted Walker.
I will NOT be placing a bet on this game, as I have UAB (+200) and Louisiana Tech (+900) futures. However, I would bet Louisiana Tech at +3 or better if given the choice.
