Overview
Wyoming Cowboys making a return to the NCAAB Tournament for the first time since 2015 is a unique case for sports betting guides. The Cowboys were once a powerhouse in college basketball — from 1941 to 1958 — but have largely faded in relevance. Wyoming, however, has surged back onto the scene by finishing in fourth place in a competitive Mountain West Conference.
The Cowboys will face a stiff test in the First Four by taking on the Big Ten’s Indiana. The Hoosiers have largely seen their status as a blue blood of college basketball fade over the past 20 seasons. Indiana, which finished the season 20-13, finished in ninth place in the Big Ten and needed a deep run into the semifinals of its conference tournament to get to the big dance. Both teams will want to make sure they leave a mark.
Last game records
Wyoming lost in the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament on March 11, 68-61 to Boise State. The Cowboys are 25-8 this season. Indiana lost in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on March 12 to Iowa 80-77. The Hoosiers are 20-13 this season.
Matchup Information
Indiana at Wyoming Betting Analysis
Wyoming Cowboys Betting Analysis
Wyoming is led by star forward Graham Ike, who is one of the country’s top scorers and rebounders. Ike averages 19.6 points, which ranks 30th nationally, and grabs 9.6 rebounds, which ranks 19th, per game. He also is an efficient shooter, knocking down 51 percent of his attempts from the floor.
What makes the Cowboys so tough is they have two dynamic scorers. Hunter Maldonado also contributes 18.4 points per game and shoots 49.5 percent from the field. The Cowboys, collectively, averaged 73.5 points per game and outscored their opponents by 7.5 points per game.
Wyoming has only made the NCAA Tournament three times since 2000. The Cowboys last won an NCAA game in 2002 when it reached the round of 32. Wyoming is 1-2 against Power 5 opponents this season, beating Washington in overtime but collecting losses for Arizona and Stanford.
Indiana Hoosiers Betting Analysis
The Indiana Hoosiers went on a five-game swoon in February that impacted its March Madness betting odds. However, Indiana managed to save its season by toppling Michigan before upsetting top-seeded Illinois by two points in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers don’t play like a modern college basketball team.
Indiana only makes 6.1 3-pointers per game and shoots 33.9 percent from the perimeter. The Hoosiers top three scorers have made 50 treys combined all season. Trayce Jackson-Davis, who leads Indiana by averaging 18.1 points per game, hasn’t made any 3-pointers and has only attempted three all season. Indiana wins by being efficient on both ends of the floor.
The Hoosiers rank 15th nationally in field goal percentage, limiting their opponents to 39 percent shooting from the floor. Indiana also shoots 45.8 percent from the floor, which ranks 86th nationally.
Team updates
Indiana reserve forward Jordan Geronimo missed the Big Ten semifinal against Iowa. Geronimo, who averages 3.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, was getting an MRI done for a knee injury. Wyoming doesn’t have any major injuries to report.
- The Cowboys are 17-13-2 against the spread.
- Indiana is 19-14 against the spread.
- Wyoming has seen the total go 16-16 in its games this season.
- The Hoosiers have seen 17 of their 33 games go under the total.
- Indiana is 8-4 against the spread following a loss.
- Wyoming is 4-3 against the spread following a loss.
Indiana at Wyoming Betting Preview
Indiana likes to play inside the arc and try to get good looks at the basket. Wyoming’s front line will be able to give the Hoosiers some problems inside as the Cowboys’ roster features six players who are 6-foot-8 or taller on the roster. There will be some significant pressure on this Wyoming team, which has won the most games in its program history since the 1951-52 season.
This will be a tough game for betting on March Madness. While Indiana was unimpressive for large stretches of the season, the Hoosiers were also tasked with playing in one of the most competitive leagues in the country. However, Wyoming was also routinely tested by what some people consider the deepest mid-major conference this season.
According to most betting guides, Indiana is a four-point favorite. The Hoosiers are -141 on the moneyline, while the Cowboys are +155. The over/under has been set at 131.5 points.
Indiana at Wyoming Betting Prediction
Wyoming has two dynamic scorers that Indiana has to worry about on the inside. The Cowboys are also more proficient 3-point shooters than Indiana. There is a case to be made for Wyoming being able to crack the Hoosiers’ defense and outwork an Indiana team that wants to play at a more deliberate pace on offense.
Fortunately for Wyoming, it plays in a conference with teams like San Diego State and Boise State, which also dig in on defense. Indiana will struggle to keep up on offense as its magic from the conference tournament fades away. The Cowboys will grab their first NCAA victory since 2002.
If you are going to be placing March Madness bets, a bet on the Cowboys +4 is almost a must!
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