Men’s College Basketball Best Bets:
As has been the theme for the last several weeks, we’re covering postseason basketball games a day ahead so that you have plenty of time to analyze the projections, compare them to the betting lines, and make informed decisions on where to place your hard-earned money. Coming up for Thursday’s games, we’ve got NIT and CBC action, with Tulsa vs New Mexico and Auburn vs Illinois State in the NIT semifinals, as well as WVU vs Stanford and Creighton vs Rutgers in the CBC quarterfinals. Tomorrow, I will have my women’s Final Four projections and bets right here at VSiN.com, and Friday will be the men’s Final Four numbers so stay tuned and be sure to follow me on X @TShoeIndex if you’re not already.
T Shoe Index Men’s NIT Projections
Tulsa vs New Mexico (-3.5), O/U 161.5
At 26-7, Tulsa is a 3.5-point underdog to the 23-10 New Mexico Lobos, with a total of 161.5. The Lobos have covered in four straight games, while Tulsa is just 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5. TSI projects New Mexico -7.5 with a total of 160 points in this matchup.
Bet: New Mexico -3.5
Auburn (-6.5) vs Illinois State, O/U 148.5
The much-debated Auburn Tigers, 17-16 on the season, take on the 20-12 Illinois State Redbirds in the other NIT semifinal, where Auburn is a 6.5 point favorite with an Over/Under of 148.5. Illinois State has won and covered in three straight games, while Auburn has won three in a row but has failed to cover in each of its last four games. TSI projects Auburn -10 with a total of 150.
Lean: Auburn -6.5
T Shoe Index Men’s CBC Projections
WVU vs Stanford (-1.5), O/U 135.5
Stanford comes into the game with a 20-12 record, while West Virginia is just 16-14; however, Stanford is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 135.5. Stanford has won four of its last five games and is 3-1-1 ATS in that span. WVU is just 2-3 straight up and ATS in its last five. TSI projects West Virginia as a mere half-point favorite here with a total of 132.5.
Bet: West Virginia +1.5
Creighton (-4) vs Rutgers, O/U 151.5
Two teams with losing records on the season, the 15-17 Creighton Blue Jays vs the 14-19 Rutgers Scarlet Knights will battle in the CBC quarterfinals, with Creighton lined as a 4-point favorite with a total of 151.5. Rutgers is 3-2 straight up in its last five, going 4-1 ATS, while Creighton is just 1-4 straight up and ATS in its last five. TSI projects Creighton -3.5 with a total of 143.5
Bet: Under 151.5
