Nebraska-Omaha vs UNLV Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/14/24

The Omaha Mavericks are visiting the UNLV Rebels on Thursday, November 14th at the Thomas & Mack Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Omaha Mavericks vs. UNLV Rebels Prediction.

UNLV Rebels Preview

The UNLV Rebels have a balanced 1-1 record this season and are sitting in the 9th place in the Mountain West. They have a 1-1 home record but are 0-1-1 against the spread, and 1-1 in over/under this season. 

Offensively, UNLV is averaging 83.5 points per game, ranking 117th in the nation, while they struggle defensively, allowing 79.5 points per game (302nd). The Rebels have elite shooting percentages this season, with 48.3% from the field (120th), and 40% from beyond the arc (50th).

UNLV is coming off a 74-80 loss to Memphis, not covering the spread and the game went under the 157.5-point total. The Rebels did not shoot the ball very well, with 40% from the field, and also lost the battle of the boards (37-29). Dedan Thomas led UNLV’s offense with 22 points.

Dedan Thomas leads UNLV in scoring this season, with 19.5 points and 3.5 assists, while Jeremiah Cherry adds 16.5 points and a team-high 9 rebounds. UNLV will play against Pepperdine, New Mexico State, Mississippi State, Creighton, and Pacific after this game.

Omaha Mavericks Preview

The Omaha Mavericks have a balanced 1-1 record this season and are tied with two more teams in the third place of the Summit. Omaha is 1-1 on the road but 2-0 against the spread, and 1-1 in over/under this season. 

Offensively, Omaha is averaging 76 points per game, ranking 228th in the nation, while defensively they allow 71 points per game (190th). The Mavericks shoot with 46% from the field (189th), and have a top-100 3-point percentage, with 38.6% (78th).

Omaha is coming off a 64-68 road loss in Minnesota, covering the spread and the game went under the 144-point total. The Mavericks shot with just 41% from the field, but grabbed more rebounds (34-26), and saw their shots blocked by Minnesota 7 times. Kamryn Thomas led Omaha’s offense with 14 points, adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Marquel Sutton leads Omaha’s offense with an average of 14 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. JJ White adds 11 points and 3.7 rebounds.

Why the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels will win

• Omaha has lost 25 of its last 26 road games against non-conference opponents.
• UNLV has won 14 of its last 15 night games against non-conference opponents at Thomas & Mack Center.
• The home team has won the first half in eight of UNLV’s last nine games.

Why the Omaha Mavericks will win

• Omaha has won three of its last four night games.
• Omaha has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of UNLV’s last nine Thursday games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
• Twelve of Omaha’s last 13 road games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UNLV ranks T25th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.5).
• UNLV ranks T39th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.5).
• Omaha ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (56.3%).

Omaha Mavericks vs UNLV Rebels Prediction

UNLV has won both previous meetings against Omaha, not covering the spread in both. In this Omaha Mavericks vs UNLV Rebels Prediction, UNLV is coming as -16 home favorites. UNLV is playing their third straight home game and is superior to Omaha offensively, scoring 7.5 more points per game with elite shooting percentages. Omaha is playing their third straight road game and apart from their 3-point shooting, they bring not much else to the table. I’m going to side with the home favorite in this one, so take the UNLV Rebels and lay the points at home.