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Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

Mar. 25, 2021
David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky Predictions

The final NIT quarterfinal on Thursday night is set with Louisiana Tech a slight one-point favorite. The total line for the 10 p.m. (ET) tip from Comerica Center opened at 137.5 points.

With both of these teams coming off a big upset in the opening round of this year’s NIT, they are each playing with house money coming into Thursday’s showdown. I'm going with the Bulldogs straight-up and against the spread as the slight favorite since they are also the slightly hotter team with seven SU wins in their last eight games.

I'm also going with the UNDER on a total line even with the number lower than expected. Given the familiarity between the two Conference USA foes, this game could turn into a defensive grinder.

  • Score Prediction: Louisiana Tech 68 Western Kentucky 66
  • Best Bets - Side: Louisiana Tech -1
  • Best Bets - Total: UNDER 137.5

NIT Quarterfinals - Predictions

Thursday's Preview - Mar. 25, 2021
4
Mississippi State
vs.
2
Richmond
3
N.C. State
vs.
1
Colorado State
2
Boise State
vs.
1
Memphis
4
La Tech
vs.
3
Western Kentucky

Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky Betting Odds

Line Movements

  • Spread: Louisiana Tech -1
  • Total: 137.5
  • Money-Line: Louisiana Tech -115 Western Kentucky -105

Odds Subject to Change

Handicapping Louisiana Tech vs. Western Kentucky

The Hilltoppers were the top team in the East Division of Conference USA but they got tripped up by North Texas in the conference tournament. Playing opposite of Louisiana Tech as the best C-USA team in the West, they also have the slight 2-1 SU edge in the last three meetings.

Neither game between the two was close this season with each side posting a double-digit victory in back-to-back games in early January. Both games did stay UNDER. As mentioned, I have been more impressed with the way the Bulldogs have been playing lately.

  • Matchup: 3 vs. 4
  • Venue: Comerica Center
  • Location: Frisco, Texas
  • Date: Mar. 25, 2021
  • Time-TV: 10:00 p.m. (ET) - ESPN2

Betting Stats & Analysis - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

The Bulldogs are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games and 4-2 ATS in their last six games against Western Kentucky. They have covered ATS in five of their last seven games at a neutral site.

The total has stayed UNDER in 13 of Louisiana Tech’s last 20 contests. It has also stayed UNDER in five of those seven neutral-site games.

Seed: 4
Conference: C-USA

  • SU: 22-7
  • ATS: 18-10
  • O/U: 11-16-1
  • Current Form (Last 5): 4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS, 3-2 O/U
  • Notable Wins: Ole Miss, UAB (x2), Marshall, Western Kentucky
  • PS/G: 73.4 (117th)
  • PA/G: 64.5 (41st)
  • Off Rtg: 103.7 (137th)
  • Def Rtg: 91.1 (15th)

Western Kentucky has been a great 'under' bet lately, with the low side cashing in four straight and five of its last six. (AP)

Popular March Madness Tools

Betting Stats & Analysis - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Western Kentucky does have a SU 12-3 record over its last 15 games as part of a 22-7 record overall. It is 1-2 ATS in its last three neutral-site games. It is 4-5 SU in nine games closing as an underdog.

The total has stayed UNDER in four of the Hilltoppers’ last five games. It has stayed UNDER in five of the last six meeting against Louisiana Tech.

Seed: 3
Conference: C-USA

  • SU: 21-7
  • ATS: 13-15
  • O/U: 13-15
  • Current Form (Last 5): 4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS, 1-4 O/U
  • Notable Wins: Marshall (x2), Alabama, Memphis
  • PS/G: 73 (127th)
  • PA/G: 67.9 (106th)
  • Off Rtg: 104.6 (122nd)
  • Def Rtg: 97.2 (93rd)

Key Players to Watch

Taveion Hollingsworth ended last Wednesday’s win over Saint Mary’s with 21 points, including a pair of game-winning free throws. Center Charles Bassey has been the team’s leading scorer all season long with 17.7 points per game. He had 19 points with 11 rebounds in that game.

Freshman forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. posted a season-high 22 points in the Bulldogs’ opening round upset over Mississippi. Forward Isaiah Crawford has been the team’s leading scorer this season with 11.9 PPG. He had eight points with six rebounds in last Friday’s win.

  • LT - Isaiah Crawford (11.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG)
  • LT - Kenneth Lofton (11.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG)
  • WKY - Charles Bassey (17.7 PPG, 11.4 RPG)
  • WKY - Taveion Hollingsworth (13.9 PPG)

2021 NIT Tournament Team Results

The Hilltoppers closed as two-point underdogs in the tight 69-67 upset against Saint Mary’s. The total line went OVER the closing 125.5-point line.

Louisiana Tech won its first NIT game 70-61 over Ole Miss as a 3.5-point underdog. That total line closed at 129.5 points to cash a winner for the OVER.


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