NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (4/1)

Once again, we do not have any NCAA Tournament games, but we have matchups in two other postseason college hoops competitions. The College Basketball Crown continues with four first round games tonight in Las Vegas, as well as the NIT Semifinals taking place in Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Let's get right in to our best bets for today!

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NCAA Basketball Best Bets – April 1st, 2025

North Texas vs UC Irvine: NIT Semifinals

Best Bets: Under 128.5 (-112) BetOnline

Take the under in this ball game. Both of these teams are extremely defensive minded, and they are two of the best mid-majors in the country. I see this being an extremely slow ball game, where both teams are fully focused on stopping the other.

North Texas is the 3rd slowest team in the nation, but rank Top 45 in adjusted defensive efficiency, 21st in eFG% defense, and Top 80 in both turnovers forced and offensive rebounds allowed. Offensively, they are outside of the Top 100 in every major category. As for the Anteaters, they like to speed things up, but are also outside of the Top 120 in most offensive categories. However, they are a Top 33 defense who ranks 11th in eFG%, as well as 36th in offensive rebounds allowed and are Top 6 at keeping their hands to themselves.

Don't expect many extra possessions, second chance points, or free throw attempts in this defensive game. Just back the under as both teams look to advance to the NIT Championship.

Chattanooga vs Loyola Chicago: NIT Semifinals

Best Bets: Chattanooga +2.5 (-110) BetOnline

I don't mind the Mocs outright, as I think the wrong team is favored, but I'll take the points. They'll be hard to come by in this game as both teams are north of 200 in possessions per game, plus the Ramblers are extremely good defensively. However, I trust the Mocs offense to continue firing like it has been recently.

The Mocs rank 57th overall offensively, 12th in eFG% and are Top 40 at taking care of the basketball. Chattanooga shoots over 46% of their shots from deep, and does so at a 36.5% clip, ranking Top 50 in the country. They don't leave points at the free throw line either, shooting over 77% as a team. Now in their last 10 games, the offensive is up to 35th in adjusted efficiency and taking care of the ball, plus their eFG% is up to 5th in the country.

Over their recent stretch, Chattanooga has only had a game eFG% under 50% one time in their past 16 contests. This team is way too hot, plus the Ramblers struggle to guard the perimeter. Although they rank 83rd overall defensively and 62nd in eFG%, they allow opponents to shoot over 33.5% from beyond the arc, giving up threes on nearly 40% of possessions.

The Mocs outside shooting will be too much for the Ramblers defense to handle, give me Chattanooga outright.

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