The Boise State Broncos (7-5) go head-to-head against the UTEP Miners (9-3) in the Diamond Head Classic at Stan Sheriff Center. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 134 points with Boise State opening as a 2-point favorite.
Boise State Broncos vs. UTEP Miners ATS Prediction
The Broncos will be looking for similar success after covering the 11.5-point spread against the Portland Pilots in their last contest, 85-69. The game’s total points (154) finished well over the O/U total of 136.5. The Broncos, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.9, had a great mark of 32.3 and had a free throw rate of 0.351 (above their season average of 0.266). Boise State was led by Derrick Alston Jr., who was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
In the Miners’ last game, they barely escaped the Ball State Cardinals, 71-70. UTEP’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Miners had 12 offensive rebounds and 37 total rebounds, while the Cardinals had seven and 21, respectively. Bryson Williams was the game’s high scorer with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting from the field.
It might be a tough game for UTEP on the offensive glass. The Miners rank 259th in offensive rebounding percentage (25.6 percent), while Boise State ranks 16th in defensive rebounding percentage (78.1 percent). Furthermore, the Broncos commit the 20th-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 16.3 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Miners causes the 38th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 23.6 percent).
Boise State holds records of 7-5 straight up (SU) and 7-4 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Broncos’ games have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, UTEP owns records of 9-3 SU and 5-3 ATS. Of the Miners’ 8 games that accepted bets, 5 have finished under the total.
Boise State Broncos vs. UTEP Miners Betting Pick
Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – UTEP, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
UTEP ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (9.5) while Boise State ranks 91st (12.0).
The Broncos allow the 30th-fewest blocks per game (2.4) while the Miners rank 60th (2.9).
Boise State and UTEP average 19.3 three pointers allowed per game, which ranks 48th in the country.
Over its last five outings, Boise State is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
UTEP is 2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Broncos’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, down from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Miners have scored an average of 66.0 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (3.4 above their season average).
