UTEP Miners vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction, 1/25/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UTEP Miners vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024

Location: Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, LA

TV: ESPN+

The UTEP Miners (11-8) are headed to Thomas Assembly Center on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (13-6).

The UTEP Miners faced Western Kentucky and went home with a win by a final score of 93-87 in their last game. UTEP finished the contest with a 46.3% field goal percentage (31 of 67) and made 7 out of their 20 shots from beyond the arc. At the free throw line, the Miners converted 24 of 29 shots for a rate of 82.8%. In the matter of rebounding, they earned 33 with 12 of them being on the offensive end. They also distributed 15 assists for the contest in addition to forcing the other team into 19 turnovers and earning 15 steals. With regard to defense, UTEP allowed 61.9% from the floor on 39 out of 63 shooting. Western Kentucky doled out 19 assists and had 8 steals for this game. Furthermore, Western Kentucky had 28 rebounds (4 offensive, 24 defensive), but wrapped up the game with no rejections. Western Kentucky finished the contest at 41.7% at the free throw line by making 5 of their 12 shots. They also made 4 out of their 12 attempts from distance. In the matter of personal fouls, the Miners left the arena with 14 and Western Kentucky accounted for 21 personal fouls.

Tae Hardy is a player who came through for the contest. He was able to score 27 points on 9 out of 18 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 39 mins played and snagged 4 boards. He went 50.0% from the floor and also dished out 1 assist.

Get all of our NCAA Basketball Picks Tonight

UTEP heads into this contest with a mark of 11-8 so far this season. They have an average of 75.5 points per game (157th in Division 1) while hitting 46.4% from the field. The Miners are shooting 31.7% on three-point attempts (105 of 331) and 69.6% from the free throw line. As a unit, UTEP is pulling in 32.5 boards per game and has accumulated 258 assists this season, which is 169th in the nation in terms of passing the ball. They turn it over 15.0 times per game and as a unit they are committing 20.1 personal fouls every game.

Defensively, the Miners are able to force 19.3 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 20.4 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 65th in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 208 conceded on the campaign. The Miners defensively are giving up and opponent field goal percentage of 45.3% (452 of 997) and they surrender 33.4 boards per contest as a unit. They relinquish 31.2% on 3-point attempts while they are 129th in college hoops in opponents PPG (69.8).

In their last game, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs went home victorious with a score of 74-57 when they played Jacksonville State. The Bulldogs snagged 17 defensive boards and 8 offensive boards for a total of 25 for the contest. They turned the ball over 10 times, while recording 9 steals in the matchup. Jacksonville State earned 15 fouls in this game which took the Bulldogs to the free throw line for a total of 24 attempts. They were able to make 15 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 62.5%. In reference to shots from 3-point land, Louisiana Tech made 5 of their 14 tries (35.7%). When the final whistle blew, the Bulldogs finished shooting 27 out of 50 from the field which had them shooting 54.0%. The Bulldogs permitted Jacksonville State to convert 22 out of 46 attempts from the field which left them with a shooting percentage of 47.8% for this game. They finished 23.1% from three-point range by shooting 3 out of 13 and ended up going 10 out of 19 from the charity stripe (52.6%). With respect to rebounding, Louisiana Tech allowed Jacksonville State to grab 24 in total (9 offensive).

Isaiah Crawford pitched in for the Bulldogs for this contest. He converted 12 of 16 for this contest for a field goal rate of 75.0%, but didn't pull down a rebound. He accumulated 30 points in his 38 minutes on the court, but wasn't able to earn an assist.

Louisiana Tech has a mark of 13-6 so far this year. The Bulldogs commit 15.6 personal fouls per contest and they hit 69.2% from the free throw line. They are dishing out assists 13.1 times per game (212th in the country) and they are turning it over 12.2 times per contest. Louisiana Tech has totaled 1,443 points for the campaign (75.9 per game) and they collect 39.2 boards per contest. As an offense, the Bulldogs are shooting 45.5% from the field, which is ranked 148th in the country.

The Bulldogs on the defensive end are ranked 24th in college hoops in points given up per game with 64.2. They have forced 13.1 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 39.4% from the field (20th in college hoops). The Louisiana Tech defense gives up 33.5% on shots from 3-point land (131 of 391) and opponents are converting on 69.3% of their foul shots. They concede 10.6 dimes and 33.4 boards per game, which is 26th and 106th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Louisiana Tech

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here