Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (21-11) vs UTEP Miners (18-15)
Game Info: Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 8:30 pm (Von Braun Center)
Betting Odds: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -3.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UTEP Miners and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Von Braun Center. Let’s get into our UTEP vs Western Kentucky prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
UTEP Miners
The Miners started the year at 5-0 but then weren’t able to win more than two consecutive games until late in the season. Following a four-game losing streak in February, UTEP finished off with wins over Jacksonville State, Liberty and FIU before a tournament win over Liberty on Thursday.
On Friday in tournament action versus Sam Houston, the Miners faced a 33-27 deficit going into the second half. UTEP came back with a 38-30 run from there and took the victory 65-63 in the end. Corey Camper led the charge on 19 points with five rebounds and three steals.
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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Over on the Western Kentucky side, they managed a 19-7 run through their first 26 games of the year. The Hilltoppers finished off the regular season with losses to Middle Tennessee, LA Tech, FIU and Liberty, though. Thursday’s match was a tournament win over New Mexico State.
Matched up against MIddle Tennessee on Friday, the Hilltoppers were able to post a blowout win. Western Kentucky hit a 46-27 run in the first half and finished with a 39-27 stretch for an 85-54 result. Tops in scoring was Don McHenry with 18 points, while Teagan Moore had 10 rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE UTEP VS WESTERN KENTUCKY PREDICTION
I’ll lean toward the Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky had a pretty easy time against Middle Tennessee in their Friday game, shooting 48.4 percent from the field with 44 rebounds in the victory. The 15 turnovers didn’t help, but WKU did pretty much everything else well.
As for UTEP, they had a great second half versus Sam Houston on Friday. The Miners ended up shooting just 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range and 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) from the line however, along with 17 turnovers.
The last time these teams met up on February 15, Western Kentucky posted a 90-80 home victory. The Hilltoppers shot a nice 56.7 percent in that one with 40 rebounds and 17 team assists. The turnovers got out of hand in that one too (16 for 21 Miners points), so WKU will need to watch the ball control in this tournament rematch.
Andrew’s Pick Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -3.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
Mitch's Take...
