Tarleton State Texans vs UTEP Miners NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/16/24

The Texans 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. The over/under for this game is set at 131.5 points, and UTEP is favored by -15.5 against Tarleton State in a non-conference matchup.

TARLETON STATE TEXANS VS UTEP MINERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: UTEP Miners -15.5

This game will be played at Don Haskins Center at 9:00 ET on Monday, December 16th.

WHY BET THE UTEP MINERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 90-60 in favor of the Miners.
• Not only will UTEP pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -15.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 131.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 150 points.

Can the Texans Grab a Win in El Paso?

Tarleton State dropped to 1-8 on the season after a 66-51 road loss to UCF on Sunday. Despite being +25.5 point underdogs, the Texans managed to cover the spread. The game’s total points (117) fell short of the 135.5 O/U line.

Trailing 29-21 at halftime, Tarleton State allowed 37 points in the 2nd half while scoring 30.

In their last game, Tarleton State managed just 51 points, shooting 41.5% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.3%, with a two-point shooting mark of 41.3% (19/46). From beyond the arc, they hit 42.9% of their attempts, connecting on 3 of 7 shots.

Free-throw shooting was a struggle, as they made only 4 of 9 attempts (44.4%). On the offensive glass, they grabbed 14 rebounds, with 10 assists as a team. Jordan Ivy-Curry led the way with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Bubu Benjamin added 13 points, hitting all 3 of his three-point attempts.

Tarleton State put together a strong defensive performance, holding their opponent to 66 points on just 35% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team making only 10 of 22 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Tarleton State’s defense was effective, as their opponent hit just 9 of 31 three-point shots for 29%. The Texans also sent them to the line 22 times, where they converted 19 free throws.

Can UTEP Lock in a Home Win?

UTEP Miners Recent Game/Games

UTEP fell to 4-3 on the season after a narrow 77-74 road loss to Louisville on Wednesday. The Miners entered the game as +14.5 point underdogs but managed to keep it close, covering the spread.

UTEP led 36-32 at halftime but allowed 45 points in the second half while scoring 38. The total points for the game reached 151, exceeding the pre-game O/U line of 144.5.

UTEP’s offense put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 50.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 59.6%. They connected on 45% of their threes, hitting 9 of 20 attempts, while shooting 54.1% on two-point shots.

The Miners had 9 assists and grabbed 7 offensive rebounds. Terrence Edwards Jr. led the team with 22 points, while Corey Camper Jr. added 19 points and 3 assists. Ahamad Bynum was 4 of 5 from three-point range, finishing with 14 points in just 15 minutes.

Even with UTEP holding their opponent to 39% shooting from the field, they still gave up 77 points. The Miners allowed 17 made threes on 34 attempts, with the opponent shooting 70% from two-point range.

UTEP sent the other team to the free-throw line 34 times, where they converted 25 free throws at a 73% rate. The Miners also gave up 16 offensive rebounds in the game.