Next up on our NCAAB schedule of betting analysis and predictions is a Mountain West matchup between the Fresno State Bulldogs (9-14, 5-7 Mountain West) and Nevada Wolf Pack (19-6, 9-3 Mountain West) on Friday night. Tip-off from Lawlor Events Center in Reno is scheduled for 11:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on FS1.
This is the first time these two NCAA basketball teams are squaring off this season, with Nevada set to repay the visit to Fresno in exactly two weeks from tonight. The two teams split their season series a year ago, with the Bulldogs winning the most recent affair, though the Wolf Pack leads the overall series 31-16. Continue reading for our Fresno State vs Nevada prediction.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Odds
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Information
Fresno State Bulldogs vs Nevada Wolf Pack
Location: Lawlor Events Center. Reno, NV.
Date and Time: Friday, February 10, 2023. 11:00 pm ET.
How to Watch: FS1
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Recent Scores
Fresno St. has sustained two separate three-game losing streaks since the calendar turned to 2023, but they enter this one having won two straight. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs took care of business at home against San Jose St., the team directly above them in the Mountain West.
As for Nevada, they’ve won three straight entering Friday and four of their last five. Of those four most recent victories, two have been blowouts, and two have been nail-biters, including Tuesday night’s last-second one-point win over New Mexico on the road. Keep reading for more analysis and our Fresno State vs Nevada prediction.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Analysis
Fresno State Facts to Know
As we prepare to recommend plays on college basketball picks involving Fresno St, we have to consider their defensive prowess. The Bulldogs rank second in the conference in opponent points per game, limiting other teams to just 64.9 ppg. They also rank third in the Mountain West in turnovers forced per game and fourth in steals.
As good as they’ve been defensively, however, the offensive end is where they’ve had their difficulties. Fresno St. ranks dead last in the conference in points per game, 3-point field goal percentage, and overall field goal percentage. They have three college basketball players that average double-figures, but they all contribute just over 11 ppg.
The Fresno State Bulldogs odds of earning a bid into the NCAA Tournament are slim, so they’ll have to do a lot of damage in the Mountain West Tournament after they wrap up the final seven games of their schedule.
Nevada Facts to Know
With a win on Friday, the Wolf Pack would earn their first 20-win season since 2019, when the Martin twins were running the show. Looking across the country at the college basketball standings in every conference, Nevada is one of 20 teams in the nation with an unblemished record at home.
They are 12-0 at home, sitting one game back of San Diego St in the MWC for first place, and they’ve already split their two-game season series. There’s no time for rest, however, as the flip side of those Nevada Wolf Pack standings sees Boise St. just a half-game behind them and Utah State a game back. It should be an interesting race down the stretch in the Mountain West.
Updates
Nevada still has three players on the college basketball injury report, as K.J. Hymes is out for the season with a back injury, and Michael Folarin and Hunter McIntosh should be back later this month after dealing with knee injuries. Joseph Hunter has missed the season for Fresno St. with a thumb injury.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Preview
According to the NCAAB odds, Nevada is favored by 9.5 with an over/under of 131 points. The Wolf Pack are -480 on the moneyline, while the Bulldogs are +360. Check out our final Fresno State vs Nevada prediction below, and be sure to bookmark InsidersBettingDigest before placing any March Madness bets.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Prediction
Of all the NCAA basketball games today, there is only one Top 25 school in action as 13th-ranked Xavier visits Butler in Big East action. Friday nights are when you zero in on those potential bracket-busters, and Nevada could certainly qualify.
However, they are coming off an emotional road win on Tuesday, beating the Lobos outright on a Kenan Blackshear buzzer-beater as five-point underdogs. This is a perfect letdown spot with Fresno St to take advantage of, as they’ll use their suffocating defense to confuse the Wolf Pack most of the way. Nevada should ultimately prevail, but this one will be closer than the line suggests.
- Pick: Fresno St. +9.5
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