Nevada vs San Jose State Betting Preview
Wolfpack Large Favorites on the Road
The Nevada Wolfpack (21-6) visit the San Jose Spartans (9-18) in the last game on Friday’s abbreviated schedule. Nevada trails Utah State by 1.5 games in the NCAAB conference standings. The Spartans are locked in a battle with Air Force to avoid last place. The Wolfpack cruised to a 90-60 win in Nevada earlier this season.
It was Nevada’s first shot at San Jose since the Spartans pulled off the upset in last year’s conference tournament. But this year’s San Jose State team is nowhere as good as last year. The Nevada vs San Jose State betting preview shows the Wolfpack are favored by 9.5 points and the total on the game is 140.
Wolfpack vs Spartans 
Day/Time:
Location: Provident Credit Union Event Center, San Jose, Calif.
Streaming: FS1
Nevada Looking For Strong Finish
The Wolfpack aren’t out of the race for the conference title. But Nevada has a tough road to climb. There are seven teams within two games of the conference lead. So every game is going to count. But the Wolfpack could also be focused on the end-of-season conference college basketball championship.
Getting the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament is definitely less stressful on Selection Sunday. The Wolfpack have been kind to their backers this season, going 17-9 against the spread. Nevada is 8-4 ATS on the road, but just 7-6 against the spread in conference games. The Wolfpack have been a strong under team this year with a 9-17 totals record.
The Wolfpack are one of the NCAAB teams that don’t have any major strengths. But they don’t have any real weakness, either. Nevada is No. 5 in the KenPom offensive and defensive efficiency ratings in the Mountain West. The offense is averaging 76.2 points per game.
Nevada shoots the ball well enough. But the Wolfpack keep turnovers down and get their share of offensive rebounds. Nevada does a good job of getting to the foul line, but shoots just 69.1%. Still, the Wolfpack score 22.5% of their points from the foul line, tops in the conference.
Defensively, the Wolfpack are stronger on the inside, although they allow a few too many offensive rebounds. Nevada allows 33.3% on 3-point shots and it will be tested by the Spartans.
The Wolfpack are No. 3 in the conference in 2-point defense, allowing 50.9%. Nevada does a decent job forcing turnovers and is No. 3 in the conference in steals.
Spartans Playing Out Schedule
It’s been a tough go for San Jose State this season. After winning 20 games a year ago, the Spartans are 9-18 this year and 2-12 in conference play. San Jose State has beaten Air Force twice and is 0-12 against the other Mountain West teams.
The Spartans’ poor record has carried over to its performance against the spread. San Jose State is 10-16 ATS this NCAAB season and 4-10 in MWC contests. The Spartans are 17-9 in totals, which includes a 10-2 mark at home and 9-5 in conference games.
Offensively, the Spartans are No. 11 in the conference in the KenPom efficiency ratings. San Jose State doesn’t make a lot of turnovers and shoots the 3-pointer well enough.
But that’s about it for the Spartans. If the 3-point shots are falling, San Jose State can give a decent showing. The Spartans scored 37.9% of their points from beyond the arc. But San Jose State is a poor-shooting 2-point team and doesn’t get many offensive rebounds.
The Nevada vs San Jose State betting preview sees the Spartans haven’t played any better on defense. The NCAA basketball scores show San Jose State is allowing 42% shooting on 3-pointers.
That’s worst in the conference. But San Jose State ranks in the bottom two in most of the other defensive stats. The Spartans will block a few shots and are average when it comes to preventing offensive rebounds.
What to Expect
Both teams are pretty average when it comes to playing style. Neither team plays an extreme up-tempo or slowdown style. There’s no denying the Wolfpack have a huge talent edge. But they also have a game with a pretty decent Colorado State team on tap and could be looking ahead a little bit.
Who to Bet On?
The Nevada vs San Jose State betting odds of Wolfpack -9.5 sounds about right. If the Wolfpack are dialed in for this game, they shouldn’t have any problem. Nevada won both regular season college basketball games last year by 15 or more points. But the Spartans had the last laugh by winning in the conference tournament.
The total on the game could be decided on how much effort Nevada gives on defense. Nevada shut down San Jose State pretty well in the first game, with the Spartans scoring the majority of their points in garbage time. Nevada led 67-24 four minutes into the second half.
This isn’t the easiest of games from a betting perspective. Nevada’s mindset will be the big difference in this one. Based solely on value, the over 140 looks to be the best side to use in your college basketball picks and parlays.
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