The Boise State Broncos (+200,00 0 to win the national title) nearly victimized the Nevada Wolf Pack (+2,000 to take home the ultimate prize) at home earlier this month. They will get another shot at Eric Musselman’s unit this coming weekend, when they take their turn to pay the Wolf Pack a visit in Reno. Will the Broncos hand Nevada a resume-tarnishing loss? Or will Nevada win in a more convincing fashion this time around?
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Betting Preview for the Boise State Broncos vs. Nevada Wolf Pack College Basketball Game on February 2, 2019
Where: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, NV
When: Saturday, February 2, 2019, 3:00 PM ET
Line: Boise State Broncos (odds) vs. Nevada Wolf Pack (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Boise State Broncos (10-11 Overall / 5-3 Conference)
The Broncos have built a nice momentum just in time for a rematch with the No. 8 Nevada Wolf Pack. They are on a mini two-game winning streak after thumping the Wyoming Cowboys at home (77-52) and the Colorado State Rams on the road (70-68). The Broncos’ winning margin against the Rams was too close for Boise State to feel great comfort, but at least they avoided punch in the gut. Although Boise State is not viewed as a true contender to win the Mountain West, it has given the favorite to win the conference quite a scare on Jan. 15, when the Broncos lost by just a point to Nevada at home, 72-71. The Wolf Pack had to be rescued by a late-game 3-pointers to escape a huge upset loss, so expect the Broncos to come into Saturday’s ball game confident and eager to get their revenge. In the first meeting with Nevada, Boise State leading scorers Justinian Jessup and Alex Hobbs had 17 and 19 points respectively. The Broncos leaned on their aggressiveness, as they went 18-for-23 from the foul line, while the Wolf Pack were only 11-for-17.
Boise State is 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last three games as a road underdog and 5-3 ATS in conference games this season.
Betting on the Nevada Wolf Pack (20-1 Overall / 7-1 Conference)
That shocking loss the New Mexico Lobos earlier this month is no longer visible in the rearview mirror of the Wolf Pack, who have gone 6-0 SU since that setback. In their most recent outing, the Wolf Pack bludgeoned the UNLV Rebels on the road, 87-70, last Tuesday. That was preceded by a merciless 100-60 beating of Colorado State on the road on Jan. 23. Casual college basketball fans are susceptible to overlooking the Wolf Pack, but that does not change the fact that Nevada has one of the most balanced and elite performers on both ends of the floor. Per KenPom, Nevada is 23rd in adjusted offensive efficiency and in adjusted defensive efficiency. It is among the relatively few teams in the nation averaging at least 80 points per game (80.9). Against the Rebels, the Wolf Pack shot 48.1 percent from the field and held their opponents down to only 36.8 percent shooting. Nevada didn’t find it hard to score against the Broncos, as they shot 51.0 percent in that game, but did badly on the foul line as mentioned earlier. Also, they need to win the rebounding battle and take away second-chance points opportunities, as Boise State won the offensive rebounding battle in the first encounter, 7-2.
Nevada is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Nevada wins, 81-69.
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