Louisiana Tech vs UTEP 2/17/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UTEP Miners will travel to the Thomas Assembly Center to take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The UTEP Miners lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 14-10 on the season after being defeated by the Marshall Thundering Herd, 88-79, this past Sunday. UTEP struggled defensively against Marshall and could not fight back after the Thundering Herd took a 75-65 lead with 7:30 left in regulation. UTEP shot 45.8% from the field & 21.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Marshall to shoot 56.4% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Miners was Souley Boum who had 32 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, UTEP is averaging 69.1 ppg on 42.4% shooting from the field. The Miners are averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 35.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UTEP has been led by Souley Boum (19.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 spg), Jamal Bieniemy (16.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.8 spg), Jorell Saterfield (7.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), & Tydus Verhoeven (6.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 bpg).

Defensively, UTEP is holding their opponents to an average of 66.2 ppg on 44.3% shooting from the field. The Miners have a rebound margin of -3.6 and a turnover margin of 3.3.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 18-6 on the season after defeating the Charlotte 49ers, 82-77, this past Thursday. Louisiana Tech did a great job forcing turnovers and was able to hold on for the victory late after taking a 66-56 lead with 6:47 left in regulation. Louisiana Tech shot 44.4% from the field & 36.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Charlotte to shoot 54.5% from the field & 30.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Kenneth Lofton Jr. who had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, & 4 steals.

On the season, Louisiana Tech is averaging 78.3 ppg on 46.3% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 34.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Louisiana Tech has been led by Kenneth Lofton Jr. (17.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg), Amorie Archibald (13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.0 spg), Keaston Willis (11.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg), & Cobe Williams (10.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Louisiana Tech is allowing their opponents to average 69.2 ppg on 41.6% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 0.5 and a turnover margin of 3.1.

The Miners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games, however, are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games vs. C-USA West opponents.

UTEP has lost their last two games, however, this is a team that has played some solid basketball this season which includes a recent win at Rice and a ATS cover at North Texas. Louisiana Tech is a solid team which has an 11-2 record at home, however, as I think the UTEP defense, which ranks 95^th in scoring defense & t-68^th in steals per game, keeps this game competitive, I’m taking the Miners and the points. Good Luck!