Sam Houston Bearkats vs UTEP Miners NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25

Betting on today’s Bearkats and Miners game? Catch the action at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX, as the Miners hosts this showdown at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. This Conference USA conference matchup has an over/under of 146.5 points, and UTEP is favored to win by -5.5 at home vs. Sam Houston.

SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS VS UTEP MINERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UTEP Miners -5.5

This game will be played at Don Haskins Center at 9:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.

WHY BET THE UTEP MINERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-68 in favor of the Miners.
• Not only will UTEP pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -5.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 146.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Do the Bearkats Stand a Chance on the Road?

Sam Houston’s season record dropped to 4-7 after a 75-71 road loss to New Mexico State on Thursday. The Bearkats, who were slight -1 favorites, failed to cover the spread.

Despite trailing 38-30 at halftime, Sam Houston outscored the Aggies 41-37 in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 146 fell just short of the 149.5 O/U line.

Sam Houston’s offense put up 71 points in their last game, shooting 44.1% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc, hitting just 4 of 15 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.5%, with a 50% success rate on two-point shots, going 22 for 44 inside the arc.

Christian Cook led the way with 25 points, despite shooting 42.1% overall and 28.6% from deep. Kalifa Sakho was efficient, hitting 7 of 9 shots and grabbing 13 rebounds. Marcus Boykin added 6 assists, while Lamar Wilkerson connected on 50% of his three-point attempts, going 2 for 4.

Even though Sam Houston’s defense gave up 75 points, they held their opponent to 41% shooting from the field, with 24 made baskets on 58 attempts. Inside the arc, the Bearkats allowed 51% shooting, as their opponent connected on 17 of 33 two-point shots.

From three-point range, Sam Houston’s defense limited their opponent to 28% shooting, with just 7 made threes on 25 attempts. However, they sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 20 for an 83% success rate. The Bearkats also gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Do the Miners Have a Shot at a Home Win?

UTEP Miners Recent Game/Games

UTEP improved to 8-3 on the season with a 70-60 home win over Louisiana Tech on Thursday, January 2nd. The Miners, who were -2.5 favorites, covered the spread. The total points for the game were 130, falling under the O/U line of 136.5.

UTEP led 36-27 at halftime and scored 34 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33 points to the Bulldogs.

UTEP’s offense struggled from beyond the arc in their last game, hitting just 6 of 29 threes for a 20.7% shooting percentage. Overall, they shot 37.9% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 42.4%.

Otis Frazier III led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field despite going 2 for 9 from three. Corey Camper Jr. added 17 points, while Kaden Cooper contributed 14 points, hitting 4 of 9 threes for a 44.4% shooting percentage.

UTEP’s defense held their opponent to 60 points, allowing 37% shooting overall. They gave up 19 two-point baskets on 37 attempts, a 51% success rate.

From beyond the arc, UTEP limited their opponent to 6 threes on 29 attempts, a 20% shooting performance. They also sent them to the line 17 times, where they hit 14 free throws, shooting 82%.