Boise State vs UNLV Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/9/23
UNLV Runnin' Rebels (19-12) vs. Boise State Broncos (23-8)
March 9, 2023 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Boise State Broncos -3.5 / UNLV Runnin' Rebels +3.5 ; Over/Under:
(Get latest betting odds)
The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and the Boise State Broncos meet Thursday in Mountain West Tournament college basketball action from Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV is 19-12 overall this year. The Rebels beat Air Force in tournament activity on Wednesday. As for Boise State, they’re sitting at 23-8 overall following a loss to Utah State back on Saturday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
UNLV Rebels
The Rebels went 15-7 in a 22-game span to kick off this season. UNLV finished off with a sketchy 3-5 run over their final eight outings however, losing to Fresno State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Boise State and Utah State in that time.
In the tournament game Wednesday versus Air Force, UNLV scored 24 points in the first half, 33 in the second half and 17 in overtime for a 78-70 victory. Leading the team was EJ Harkless with 35 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Boise State Broncos
Over on the Boise State side, they managed an 18-6 run over their first 24 games of the year. The Broncos closed things out on a 5-2 stretch with wins over Wyoming, Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico and San Diego State in that time.
Back on Saturday versus Utah State, the Broncos were outscored 47-33 in the first half. Boise State got better from there on a 40-39 run but still lost 86-73. Chibuzo Agbo was tops on 18 points and Tyson Degenhart added 14 points with six rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably try UNLV in this one. Also probably staying away, though; the line’s not quite thick enough. The Rebels got into a bit of trouble against a scrappy Air Force team on Wednesday, but to their credit UNLV toughed out the win in overtime. The Rebels are 3-1 in their last four games, but they’ve hit 70 points just once during that time. UNLV may want to keep the pace slow in this one. As for Boise State, they had a four-game win streak going in late February but they’re a shaky 1-2 since then (with a win over a very good San Diego State team, to be fair). These teams have met twice already this year with Boise State taking wins 84-66 on the road and 73-69 at ExtraMile Arena. If UNLV can get their offense going early however, I think they can tag along in this tournament matchup.
