Jackson State Tigers vs UTEP Miners NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/20/24
The Tigers and Miners are set to face off at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The Miners will host the game at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 140.5 points, and UTEP is favored by -13.5 vs. Jackson State.
JACKSON STATE TIGERS VS UTEP MINERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Jackson State Tigers +13.5
This game will be played at Don Haskins Center at 9:00 ET on Friday, December 20th.
WHY BET THE JACKSON STATE TIGERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Miners.
- Even though we have UTEP winning straight-up, we like Jackson State at +13.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 140.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Is a Road Win Possible for Jackson State?
Jackson State Tigers Recent Game/Games
Jackson State’s season continued to be a struggle as they fell to 0-10 after a 100-58 loss to Iowa State on Sunday. The Tigers were +36 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread.
Trailing 46-24 at halftime, Jackson State allowed 54 points in the 2nd half while scoring 34. The game’s total points of 158 exceeded the O/U line of 145.5.
Jackson State struggled offensively in their last game, managing just 58 points with a field goal percentage of 37% and an effective field goal percentage of 44.4%. They hit 31.8% from three-point range, connecting on 7 of 22 attempts, and were efficient at the free-throw line, making 11 of 13 for 84.6%.
Dorian McMillian led the team with 20 points, though he shot just 36.4% overall and from three. Curtis Jones added 19 points, hitting 5 of 10 from deep, while Milan Momcilovic contributed 18 points, shooting 66.7% from three. Dishon Jackson was perfect from the field, going 4 for 4.
Jackson State’s defense struggled, allowing 100 points on 50% shooting from the field. The opposing team shot 59% from inside the arc, hitting 23 of 39 two-point attempts.
From three-point range, Jackson State gave up 11 threes on 28 attempts, a 39% clip. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 21 free throws (72%).
Will the Miners Find a Way to Win at Home?
UTEP Miners Recent Game/Games
UTEP improved to 5-3 on the season with a 67-62 win over Tarleton State on Monday. The Miners were -15 favorites at home but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 129, just under the O/U line of 130.5.
UTEP led 32-23 at halftime but allowed 39 points in the 2nd half while scoring 35. Despite the win, the Miners will look to tighten up their defense moving forward.
UTEP’s offense put up 67 points in their last game, shooting 42.2% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.9%, and they hit 69.7% of their free throws, going 23-for-33 from the line.
Otis Frazier III and Bubu Benjamin each scored 18 points, with Benjamin shooting 50% from the field. Keitenn Bristow added 13 points, hitting 66.7% of his shots, while also grabbing 6 rebounds.
UTEP’s defense held their opponent to 62 points, allowing them to shoot 42% from the field. The Miners gave up 13 two-point field goals on 29 attempts, a 44% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, UTEP’s defense allowed 6 threes on 16 attempts, with their opponent shooting 37%. They also sent them to the line 33 times, where they made 23 free throws, shooting 69%. UTEP gave up 10 offensive rebounds.