As March Madness gets underway, the Missouri Tigers and Utah State Aggies face each other in the first round of the NCAAB schedule on Thursday. Representing the South bracket March Madness, this will undoubtedly be a tough battle between two NCAA basketball teams that repeatedly dominated games during the season and finished high in the college basketball standings.
Mizzou finished the year with a respectable 24-9 record to take fourth in the SEC. The Aggies were a little better, with 26-8. They also had a lot of success in the Mountain West, ending the season with 13-5 and second place and finding support in the NCAAB odds.
Both teams know how to find the basket, which will make for a non-stop contest. Ultimately, it will come down to who has the most stamina and who really wants to take on Arizona in the next round. This makes for a tough Missouri vs Utah State prediction.
Missouri vs. Utah State Odds
Missouri vs. Utah State Information
Missouri Tigers vs Utah State Aggies
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 16, 1:40 PM ET.
How to Watch: TNT
Updates for Missouri vs. Utah State
Dennis Gates has done a lot of great things with the Missouri Tigers as he took over as head coach. Mizzou, rising in the current odds to win March Madness, has made several trips to March Madness over the years, but this could be the year they shine. However, if they want to get their first title in 13 years, they have to get past the Aggies. That won’t be easy.
The Aggies are one of this year’s teams to watch, and the college basketball standings reflect it. With college basketball players like Max Shulga and Steen Ashworth tearing up the court, they have played hard and repeatedly fought for their wins across the NCAAB schedule. However, their record shows that they have had the ability to endure in order to get this far and challenge the Missouri vs Utah State prediction.
Aggies Poised to End 22-Year March Madness Drought
It’s been 22 years since the Aggies made it beyond the first round of March Madness action. That drought might come to an end on Thursday. According to the college basketball injury report, Mizzou is dealing with several injuries that have made it hard for them to keep up, but Gates has been able to pace his players, so they don’t get burned out.
These two are capable of putting up a well-matched battle under the net. If the Tigers score, the Aggies are going to respond, and vice versa. However, Mizzou has an opening it’s going to exploit from the first tip-off defense.
The Aggies, for all of their offensive success, haven’t been great on defense this season. Gates knows this, as do his front five. When they’re on the court, they’re going to take advantage of Utah State to try to take control of the game.
That advantage will also come into play on the long shots. Missouri went 40% from beyond the paint in 13 games this season, winning all of them. If they can’t get under the bucket, Mizzou will play the perimeter and pick up the points.
Missouri vs. Utah State Betting Preview
For the college basketball picks today, even though Missouri can overpower Utah State’s defense, the Aggies are seen as the favorite to win this game. Their line is around -120, with the Tigers getting +106. However, the 1-point spread is a good indication of what’s going to happen.
After the NCAA basketball games today, for almost any Missouri vs Utah State prediction, this isn’t going to be a lopsided contest, and bettors can expect both teams to engage in a tight battle until the very end. The over/under is around 155, and the final score could come in just below that.
Missouri vs. Utah State Betting Prediction
As much as the Aggies have struggled on defense, so have the Tigers. They’ve given up more points than they should have this season but have still put up the wins when they counted the most.
For those betting on March Madness, Mizzou is going to try to tire Utah State out, which will give them just enough to take the win.
Betting on this event:
Bet on Missouri taking the game at +106.
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