Sam Houston Bearkats vs UTEP Miners Prediction – 3/11/2025

The Conference USA Tournament heats up as the Sam Houston Bearkats face the UTEP Miners on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. With both teams entering the game with recent struggles, this matchup offers intriguing betting opportunities for enthusiasts.

Sam Houston Bearkats vs UTEP Miners Game Preview

The Bearkats (13-18, 6-12 CUSA) have shown improvement in recent games, securing victories over Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State. Their offense, averaging 75.7 points per game, is led by Lamar Wilkerson, who contributes 20.4 points per game, ranking 12th nationally. However, their defense has been a concern, allowing an average of 75.9 points per game, placing them 290th in the nation. Rebounding has also been an issue, with the team ranking 186th in the country at 31.8 rebounds per game.

On the other hand, the Miners (17-14, 7-11 CUSA) have faced challenges, losing their last seven games, including a narrow 89-87 defeat to Sam Houston on March 6. Despite this slump, UTEP's offense averages 72.7 points per game, with Otis Frazier III leading the team with 13.4 points per game. Defensively, they allow 70.6 points per game, ranking 138th nationally. Rebounding has been a significant weakness, as the Miners rank 337th in college basketball with an average of 28.4 rebounds per game.

Betting Insights

• Point Spread: UTEP is favored by 1.5 points. However, their 6-9 record against the spread as a 1.5-point favorite raises questions about their ability to cover the spread in such close contests.
• Moneyline: UTEP's moneyline is set at -115, indicating a slight edge over Sam Houston, whose moneyline is also at -105. This reflects the closely matched nature of the teams.
• Over/Under: The total is set at 145.5 points. Given both teams' defensive vulnerabilities and high-scoring tendencies, this total is reasonable.
• Recent Trends: UTEP has struggled in conference play, losing eight of their last ten games. In contrast, Sam Houston has secured six wins against the spread in 18 CUSA games this season, showing some promise against conference opponents.

Sam Houston Bearkats vs UTEP Miners Prediction

Considering both teams' recent performances, defensive shortcomings, and scoring capabilities, the Bearkats appear to have the momentum. Their recent victories and higher scoring average suggest they can overcome UTEP's slight favoritism. Additionally, UTEP's recent struggles, particularly in close games, make them a risky pick against the spread.

Prediction: Sam Houston Bearkats to win outright and cover the +1.5 point spread. With both teams allowing substantial points, the game is likely to be high-scoring, making the over on the total points a favorable consideration.

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