Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (15-14) vs. UTEP Miners (13-15)
March 2, 2023 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: UTEP Miners -2.5 / Western Kentucky Hilltoppers +2.5; Over/Under: +135.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and UTEP Miners meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Don Haskins Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 73.7 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 70.9 points on 41.4 percent shooting. Dayvion McKnight is averaging 17.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Emmanuel Akot is averaging 10.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. Jairus Hamilton is grabbing 5.4 rebounds and Luke Frampton is dishing 1.7 assists. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.3 rebounds per game.
The UTEP Miners Betting Preview
The UTEP Miners are averaging 68.3 points on 44.7 percent shooting and allowing 67.6 points on 44 percent shooting. Tae Hardy is averaging 13.1 points and 2.7 rebounds, while Shamar Givance is averaging 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. Mario McKinney Jr. is grabbing 3.8 rebounds and Calvin Solomon is grabbing 6.1 rebounds. The UTEP Miners are shooting 27 percent from beyond the arc and 62.5 percent from the free throw line. The UTEP Miners are allowing 33.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.7 rebounds per game.
WKU vs UTEP Trends
The Hilltoppers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 Thursday games. The Miners are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The over is 8-3 in Hilltoppers last 11 overall. The over is 4-1 in Miners last 5 overall. The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
I’m not running to the window to back the UTEP Miners, especially in the favorite role, but let’s not act like WKU is lighting the world on fire. Also, Western Kentucky loses on the road by an average of 3.4 points while struggling to find consistent offense. Better options out there, but give me UTEP if forced to pick.
