Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs UTEP Miners NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bulldogs versus the Miners? Tip off is at at 9:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX. The over/under for this Conference USA conference contest is set at 138.5 points, with UTEP being favored by -2.5 at home against Louisiana Tech.
LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS VS UTEP MINERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: UTEP Miners -2.5
This game will be played at Don Haskins Center at 9:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE UTEP MINERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Miners.
- Not only will UTEP pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will Louisiana Tech Pull Through as the Underdog Road Team?
Louisiana Tech improved to 8-2 on the season with a 74-66 win over Grand Canyon on Monday. The Bulldogs, who were +2.5 point underdogs, not only secured the win but also covered the spread.
After trailing 33-32 at halftime, Louisiana Tech turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Grand Canyon 42-33. The total points for the game ended at 140, just under the 144.5 O/U line.
Louisiana Tech’s offense clicked in their last game, shooting 51.9% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 59.3%. They hit 61.8% of their two-point attempts and connected on 35% from beyond the arc, making 7 threes. At the free-throw line, they shot 78.6%, going 11-for-14.
Sean Newman Jr. led the way with 25 points and 9 assists, hitting 3-of-6 from deep. Daniel Batcho and JaKobe Coles each added 19 points, with Batcho shooting 72.7% and grabbing 7 rebounds. Duke Brennan was efficient as well, hitting 5-of-6 shots and pulling down 7 boards.
Louisiana Tech’s defense gave up 66 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 51% from the field. Inside the arc, they struggled, as their opponent hit 61% of their two-point attempts, going 21/34.
From three-point range, Louisiana Tech allowed 7 threes on 20 attempts, a 35% shooting rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they made 11, shooting 78%. Louisiana Tech gave up 7 offensive rebounds.
Will the Miners Defense Show Up at Home?
UTEP Miners Recent Game/Games
The Miners improved to 7-3 this season with a 75-74 win over Yale on Saturday. UTEP was a -1.5 favorite going into the game, but they didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game ended up at 149, surpassing the O/U line of 142.5.
UTEP led 45-33 at halftime but allowed Yale to score 41 points in the second half while putting up just 30 points themselves. Despite the close call, the Miners managed to hold on for the win.
UTEP’s offense was firing from deep in their last game, hitting 11 of 17 threes for a 64.7% shooting percentage. Their effective field goal percentage was 57.7%, with an overall field goal percentage of 48.1%.
Riley Fox led the way with 19 points, connecting on 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Otis Frazier III also shot well from three, hitting 3 of 4 and finishing with 15 points.
UTEP’s defense struggled from beyond the arc, allowing their opponent to shoot 64% from three, with 11 made threes. Overall, they gave up 74 points on 48% shooting from the field.
Inside the arc, UTEP held their opponent to 40% shooting on two-point attempts, but they sent them to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 14.