Santa Clara vs Sam Houston State Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/15/23
Sam Houston State Bearkats (25-7) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (23-9)
March 15, 2023 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Santa Clara Broncos -3.5 / Sam Houston State Bearkats +3.5; Over/Under: +142
(Get latest betting odds)
The Santa Clara Broncos and Sam Houston State Bearkats meet Wednesday in the college basketball NIT First Round at the Leavey Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Santa Clara Broncos are averaging 77.3 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 73 points on 43.4 percent shooting. Brandin Podziemski is averaging 19.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, while Carlos Stewart is averaging 15.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. Keshawn Justice is the third double-digit scorer and Carlos Marshall Jr. is dishing 1.3 assists. The Santa Clara Broncos are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 70.4 percent from the free throw line. The Santa Clara Broncos are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats are averaging 73.4 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 58.5 points on 38.5 percent shooting. Qua Grant is averaging 14 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Donte Powers is averaging 11.4 points and 3 rebounds. Cameron Huefner is the third double-digit scorer and Lamar Wilkerson is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Sam Houston State Bearkats are shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc and 68 percent from the free throw line. The Sam Houston State Bearkats are allowing 31.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.
The Broncos are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Broncos are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 7-1 in Bearkats last 8 overall. The over is 4-1 in Broncos last 5 overall.
I strongly considered the Sam Houston State Bearkats and the points here, as you can argue they’ll be the more motivated side, as it’s a rare chance to beat a respectable program. However, Santa Clara is the more proven team, will have the best player on the floor and is 4-1 ATS when favorites of 5 or fewer points. Couldn’t pull the trigger with the Bearkats. Give me Santa Clara.
