Norfolk State Spartans vs UTEP Miners Betting Pick & Prediction 12/20/23

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Spartans versus the Miners? Tip off is at at 9:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on YT. The game will be played at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX. The over/under for this game is set at 138.5 points, and the Miners are the home favorites against the Spartans in a non-conference matchup.

NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS VS UTEP MINERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UTEP Miners -6

This game will be played at Don Haskins Center at 9:30 ET on Wednesday, December 20th.

WHY BET THE UTEP MINERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-67 in favor of the Miners.
• Not only will UTEP pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 138.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 143 points.

Can the Spartans Offense Score Enough on the Road?

Norfolk State, who currently has a record of 8-5, is getting ready to play their 14th game of the season. When playing on the road, the Spartans have a record of 3-4, while they have gone 2-1 at home. Against the spread (ATS), Norfolk State has a current record of 5-5. Looking at their performance in the last five games, the team has gone 2-2 vs. the spread.

In 13 games, Norfolk State comes in with an over/under mark of 4-6-0, with their games averaging 139.3 points per game. The Spartans’ last five games have finished with a combined 139 points per game and an over/under record of 1-3.

Most recently, the Norfolk State offense finished with just 58 points vs. Hofstra. For the game, they hit 4/13 three-point attempts and a field goal percentage of 44.2%. Jamarii Thomas is leading the team in scoring at 18.8 points per contest. Allen Betrand has also been a key contributor with a PPG average of 11.2 going into the game.

Norfolk State’s defense has been playing well, ranking 58th nationally, with 65.3 points allowed per game. Norfolk State’s defense is coming off a game in which they allowed the Hofstra offense to knock down 48% of their shots on their way to putting up 74 points.

Is A Home Victory Likely for the Favored Miners?

Heading into their 12th game of the season, UTEP has a 6-5 record. This season, UTEP has gone 0-3 on the road and 3-2 at home. Heading into their game against Norfolk State, UTEP holds an ATS record of 1-6-1. Throughout their last ten games this season, UTEP has gone 0-4 vs. the spread.

Up to this point, games involving UTEP have had an average of 137.8 points per game, with the average over/under line set at 141.2 points. Their over/under record is 3-5-0. When looking at the Miners’ last three games, their over/under record is 1-1, with their games averaging 146 points per game.

UTEP’s offense is coming off a strong performance, scoring 82 points against Abilene Christian. They had an overall field goal percentage of 41.9% and made 25/36 free throws. Tae Hardy was the leading scorer for the Miners, putting up 22 points. In addition, Zid Powell contributed 14 points.

Coming into today’s game, the UTEP defense is giving up an average of 68.1 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, UTEP’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 33.1% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 25.9% this season.