Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Arizona State Sun Devils Pick – 3/31/2025

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Arizona State Sun Devils are set to face off in the first round of the College Basketball Crown tournament on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 8:30 PM Eastern Time. The game will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be broadcast on FS1.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Game Preview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter the tournament with a 17-14 record, having faced challenges in conference play. They concluded the regular season with five consecutive losses to Penn State, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Iowa, which prevented them from qualifying for the Big Ten tournament. The Cornhuskers finished 16th in the standings, with only Penn State and Washington posting worse records.

Offensively, Nebraska averages 75.4 points per game, ranking 139th nationally. They allow 72.9 points per game, placing them 207th in defensive rankings. The team secures 35.1 rebounds per game and records 13.8 assists per game. Key players include Brice Williams, who leads with 20.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Juwan Gary contributes 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, while Connor Essegian adds 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

The Arizona State Sun Devils hold a 13-19 record and have struggled significantly in conference play, with only Colorado posting a worse record. They lost ten of their final eleven regular-season games and entered the Big 12 tournament as the 15th seed, where they were eliminated in the first round by Kansas State. The Sun Devils aim to improve their performance in the College Basketball Crown tournament.

Arizona State averages 73.9 points per game, ranking 183rd nationally, and allows 76.5 points per game, placing them 306th in defensive rankings. The team averages 34.2 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game. Leading the Sun Devils is BJ Freeman, who averages 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Alston Mason follows with 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and a team-high 4.0 assists per game, while Basheer Jihad contributes 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and leads the team with 1.1 steals per game.

Betting Insights

The betting odds for this matchup favor Nebraska, with the Cornhuskers being 4.5-point favorites. The over/under for the game is set at 154.5 points. Notable betting trends include:

• Nebraska has won each of its last 10 Monday games against non-conference opponents.
• Arizona State has lost 11 of its last 12 games.
• Arizona State has lost the first half in seven of its last eight night games.

Conversely, Arizona State has won seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents, and Nebraska has lost each of its last four night games. Regarding total points, 16 of Nebraska's last 18 night games at neutral venues have produced a total of 153 or fewer points, while each of Arizona State's last four games at neutral venues have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Prediction

Both teams have had challenging seasons, primarily due to defensive shortcomings. Nebraska's offensive capabilities, led by Brice Williams, provide them with a slight edge. However, Arizona State's recent struggles, including losing 11 of their last 12 games, suggest they may continue to face difficulties. Considering these factors, Nebraska is likely to cover the 4.5-point spread. Additionally, given both teams' defensive vulnerabilities, the total points are expected to exceed the over/under of 154.5. Therefore, the recommended picks are Nebraska to cover the spread and the game total to go over 154.5 points.