Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Tuesday’s NIT Quarterfinals

These two teams are VERY familiar with one another. This will be the fourth meeting between the Shockers and Hurricanes, as they played twice in the regular season, and also met in the American Athletic Conference semifinals. So let's start by discussing what happened in the previous three contests, and keep in mind, tonight is a home game for Tulsa.

The Golden Hurricane won the first meeting at home by 10, covering a 5.5 point spread and going over a 154.5 total that was bought up three points. However the Shockers got their revenge in Wichita, where they covered as 1.5 point favorites, winning by four. We also saw a total bought up two points to 152.5, but still managed to go comfortably over the number. Finally, Wichita State won when it mattered in the AAC Semifinals, winning outright by 13 on a neutral site, where they were catching 1.5 points. However, the total was bought up two points again, but this time barely stayed under the 152.5 closer.

Tonight I am on the Shockers with the points, but I do like them outright. They are very good defensively and will make it very tough for Tulsa's offense to find a rhythm.  On the glass, Wichita State will dominate. They rank sixth in the nation in offensive rebound rate and out rebounded Tulsa by eight in each of their previous two wins.

We are heading down to The Pit tonight in Albuquerque where the Lobos host the Hawks. New Mexico barely missed out on the NCAA Tournament this season but have been playing with some fire in the NIT. They've covered both spreads with ease, putting up 193 points in their past two games. Saint Joe's will be playing their third straight on the road, where they've squeaked out wins at Colorado State by five and at California by one after being down most of the game. Tonight, I don't think the Hawks will get lucky a third time, or be able to slow down this Lobos' offense.

New Mexico ranks top 50 in pace at home, averaging an extra few possessions per contest at The Pit. They rarely lose the turnover battle, ranking top 65 in TO Rate on both sides of the ball, while also ranking top 65 in the country in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Not to mention they are 15-3 at home this season.

Saint Joe's will be fine running, but offensively they won't be able to keep up. The Hawks are No. 281 in eFG% (bottom 90), they are north of 300 at getting to the free throw line, and this is my favorite of them all. Saint Joe's chucks up threes, ranking top 70 in 3P Rate offense, shooting from deep about 45% of the time. But they suck. As a team, they shoot just 30.9% from deep, which is bottom 45 in the country. Defensively, they are much better, but they are horrendous at forcing turnovers, and their only hope would be a low scoring game. Look at the Lobos' schedule. They don't have low scoring games.

New Mexico runs them out of the gym tonight.