Utah Valley Wolverines vs San Francisco Dons Prediction – 3/19/2025

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) presents an intriguing first-round contest as the Utah Valley Wolverines (25-8) travel to face the San Francisco Dons (24-9) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 11:00 PM Eastern Time at The Sobrato Center in San Francisco, California. This matchup offers a compelling narrative, with both teams seeking to extend their seasons and make a statement on the national stage.

Utah Valley Wolverines vs. San Francisco Dons Game Preview

Utah Valley enters the NIT after a strong season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), finishing with a 15-1 conference record. The Wolverines' impressive run was halted in the WAC Championship game, where they fell to Grand Canyon 89-82. Despite the setback, Utah Valley has demonstrated resilience, winning 19 of their last 21 games. Offensively, they average 76.2 points per game, shooting 47% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. Defensively, they allow 68.0 points per game, holding opponents to 41.3% shooting. Key contributors include junior guard Dominick Nelson, who leads the team with 14.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Tanner Toolson, adding 13.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

San Francisco, representing the West Coast Conference (WCC), concluded their season with a 13-5 conference record, securing the third spot behind powerhouses Saint Mary's and Gonzaga. The Dons' recent form includes a semifinal loss to Gonzaga in the WCC tournament. They average 75.9 points per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 68.9 points per game, with a notable strength in perimeter defense, limiting opponents to 28.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Senior guard Malik Thomas leads the team with 19.3 points per game, while the absence of second-leading scorer Marcus Williams due to non-injury-related reasons poses a challenge for the Dons' offensive dynamics.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, San Francisco is favored by 7.5 points, with an over/under set at 146.5 points. Bettors should consider the following factors:

• Home Court Advantage: San Francisco boasts a strong home record, winning 16 of 17 games at The Sobrato Center this season.
• Injury Impact: The absence of Marcus Williams could affect the Dons' offensive efficiency and depth.
• Defensive Matchup: Both teams exhibit solid defensive metrics, suggesting a potentially lower-scoring game than the over/under indicates.

Utah Valley Wolverines vs. San Francisco Dons Prediction

Considering the current dynamics, this game presents a closer contest than the spread suggests. Utah Valley's consistent performance and strong defensive play position them well to challenge the Dons, especially given San Francisco's recent struggles against top-tier opponents and the absence of a key player. While San Francisco's home court advantage is significant, Utah Valley's momentum and defensive capabilities make them a formidable opponent. Therefore, the recommendation is to take Utah Valley to cover the +7.5 point spread, with a cautious approach to the over/under, leaning towards the under, given both teams' defensive strengths.