Semifinal Picks for NIT: North Texas vs. UC Irvine, Loyola Chicago versus Chattanooga

Breaking Down the Action at the NIT Semifinals

The NIT Semifinals promise a thrilling showdown as the North Texas Mean Green battle the UC Irvine Anteaters, and the Loyola Chicago Ramblers take on the Chattanooga Mocs.
Sports betting enthusiasts will find that both games have closely set spreads, with both North Texas and Loyola Chicago entering as favorites.

Strategic Analysis: UC Irvine vs North Texas Matchup

Battle of the Titans

Moneyline: North Texas (-120) vs. UC Irvine (+100)
Spread: North Texas -1.5
Total: 128.5

This is set to be a neck-and-neck contest between North Texas and UC Irvine, with both teams boasting top-40 defenses in the nation. North Texas ranks as the third-best defense, conceding only 59.9 points per game, while UC Irvine lands at 38th, allowing 66.5 points.

However, UC Irvine displays a significant advantage on offense, outscoring North Texas by an average of 7.9 points per game (UC Irvine averages 75.9 points vs. North Texas's 68).

Recent tournament performance also favors UC Irvine, as they've won their last three games by multiple possessions, while North Texas managed to scrape by with two narrow victories.

In this matchup, it's a shrewd move to back UC Irvine for some plus money (+105) on CBB betting sites.

Pick: UC Irvine ML (+105)

Exciting Offense on Display: Loyola Chicago vs Chattanooga

Low Total vs High Expectations

Moneyline: Loyola Chicago (-150) vs. Chattanooga (+130)
Spread: Loyola Chicago -2.5
Total: 148

The low total points set for Loyola Chicago and Chattanooga might not reflect the high-scoring action these teams are known for. Combined, they average 153.2 points per game and concede 141.3 points.

Both teams hit the over in their first three tournament games, indicating a strong trend towards offensive fireworks.

Pick: Over 148

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Sam Profeta is a sports writer with a passion for basketball and football, both professional and collegiate. A graduate of Florida State University, Majoring in Editing, Writing and Media with a minor in Communications, Samuel has been crafting content for four years. Don't be surprised to find him enjoying sports, gaming, or tunes in his downtime.

In the UC Irvine vs North Texas matchup, the odds for the Moneyline favor UC Irvine (+100) over North Texas (-120), according to CBB betting sites.
Despite North Texas having a top-3 defense in the nation, UC Irvine's significant advantage on offense and recent tournament performance make backing UC Irvine for some plus money (+105) a strategic bet.
In the Loyola Chicago vs Chattanooga game, despite the low total points set at 148, both teams have a history of high-scoring action, averaging 153.2 points per game collectively.
Considering both teams have hit the over in their first three tournament games, it's a smart pick to bet Over 148 points in the Loyola Chicago vs Chattanooga game.
As a sports writer, Sam Profeta follows College Basketball closely and believes that strategy and in-depth analysis can lead to profitable sports betting, whether on sites like NCAA basketball betting sites or other sports.