Utah State vs. Nevada Odds
| Utah State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +108 |
| Nevada Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -130 |
The Wolfpack will be looking to bounce back after dropping their first game in conference on Tuesday. Nevada lost by nine to San Diego State in a game during which it never held the lead.
Utah State meanwhile is 3-1 in conference, its only loss coming to Boise State on the road. The Aggies have been the best three-point shooting team in the nation, but have struggled on defense.
Can Utah State find success against a Nevada team that has held opponents to just 65 points per game? Let's look at the odds and make a betting prediction.
Utah State Aggies
The Aggies have been ridiculous on offense, not only from beyond the arc, but from everywhere on the court. Utah State is posting a 56.7% effective field goal percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation. At the rim, the Aggies have been almost as successful as they've been from deep, posting a 72.1% field goal percentage, which ranks in the 96th percentile.
The Aggies rarely turn the ball over, giving it up just 11.9 times per game. They've also been elite when it comes to drawing fouls, forcing opponents into 20.1 fouls per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, things are a very different story. Utah State may know how to hit from the perimeter better than anyone else, but more focus on defending the three could go a long way. The Aggies have allowed opposing teams to shoot 34.9% from three-point range (283rd nationally).
And while they do average 80.4 points per game, allowing teams to score 70.3 points per contest could be an issue if the opposition can control the pace and slow down the game.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Speaking of slowing down the game, Nevada plays at the fifth-slowest pace in the Mountain West and ranks 243rd in the nation in adjusted tempo. The Wolfpack have also yet to lose a conference game at home, posting impressive wins over Boise State and Colorado State.
The Wolfpack offense relies heavily on free throws though, as they see 24.8% of their scoring come from the charity stripe. Utah State averages 17.6 fouls per game, but has cut that down in conference play, racking up just 16.5 and holding opposing teams to just 12.5 free throw attempts per contest.
Even more concerning for Nevada is its defense. Yes, it has held teams to just 66 points in conference play, but when it comes to three-point defense, the Wolfpack has struggled significantly. Over their past five games, the Wolfpack have allowed opposing teams to hit 34.1% from deep.
That may seem solid at first, but none of their previous opponents rank inside the top 50 when it comes to three-point percentage. Facing the best three-point shooting team in the country could put Nevada in some serious trouble.
Nevada also doesn't have anything close to the firepower off its bench that Utah State boasts. The Wolfpack are averaging just 17.1 points per game from their bench while Utah State's bench averages 31.5 points on the season and 27.2 over its past five games.
Utah State vs. Nevada Betting Pick
The Aggies should be able to take advantage of a Nevada defense that has struggled to defend the perimeter. At the other end, I struggle to see how Nevada can find scoring success without its usual trips to the free throw line.
The Wolfpack will do everything they can to slow down Utah State's offense, but I'm not sure it will be enough to keep this game close against the best effective field goal percentage team in the Mountain West.
Take any points you can get with the Aggies, but I think they have what it takes to win this outright.
Pick: Utah State Moneyline |
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