Conference tournament week is upon us, and with it comes a host of games from the afternoon until the morning hours, as teams across the country ecstatically punch tickets to the NCAA Tournament. The WAC is a conference that needs an automatic bid in order to win a trip to the big dance, so this tournament can make or break a team’s season. Below is a WAC basketball tournament betting preview with potential value plays throughout.
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The tournament will tip off on Thursday, March 12 with four games.
Quarterfinals
#8 Chicago State vs. #1 New Mexico State
3 pm est – ESPN+
Chicago State is the worst rated team per KenPom at #353 in the country. So it’s no surprise that they are projecting a blowout victor for the #1 seeded New Mexico State by a score of 82-54. New Mexico State is by far the highest rated team in the WAC, ranking #91 in Pomeroy’s rankings. If this line comes out at 18 points, it might be too light. Look for New Mexico State to be deservedly big favorites throughout the tournament.
#5 Kansas City vs. #4 Grand Canyon
5:30 pm est – ESPN+
Expect a much more competitive game from these two teams who split the season series with each team winning at home. KenPom is projecting a 70-68 victory for Kansas City. This game will feature a match up of strength on strength when Grand Canyon is on offense, and weakness on weakness when Kansas City is on offense. Kansas City is much more balanced than Grand Canyon and a line of two points may not be high enough.
#7 Cal State Bakersfield vs. #2 UT Rio Grand Valley
9 pm est – ESPN+
An extremely close game is expected here despite the seed differential, as Cal State Bakersfield ranks #267 in the country compared to UT Rio Grand Valley at #248. The projected score of the game 68-67 in favor of UTRGV. However, there are a couple of massive mismatches when it comes to the breakdown of these two teams. Cal State Bakersfield has the 14th best offensive rebound percentage in the nation while UTRGV is not very effective at taking away offensive rebounds on defense. At the free throw line, though, UTRGV shoots 73.1% compared to Cal State Bakersfield at 67%. UTRGV also gets to the line at the 110th best rate in the country. Meanwhile, only three teams allow more frequent trips to the free throw line than Cal State Bakersfield.
#6 Utah Valley vs. #3 Seattle
11:30 pm est – ESPN+
Seattle comes into this game as the third highest rated team in the conference at #215 in the country. Cal Baptist is the second-highest ranked team but have been suspended from the postseason. Utah Valley is not far behind though, ranked #253 overall. KenPom is projecting a 73-71 victory for Seattle, but two points may not be enough of a spread in this one. Seattle boasts the #1 offense in the country at not turning the ball over and also has the 17th best free throw rate in the country at 77%.
Quarterfinals
Date: Friday, March 13
TV: ESPN+
Championship
Date: Saturday, March 14
TV: ESPNU
Odds to Win the WAC Tournament
Seattle at +600 looks incredibly enticing. They lost to New Mexico State in both regular season games, but both games were within single digits as Seattle lost by eight each time. With that said, New Mexico State is clearly the best team in the conference, so even at -220 there may be a bit of value.
| New Mexico State | -220 |
| Seattle | +600 |
| Kansas City | +850 |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | +1200 |
| Utah Valley | +1300 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | +1500 |
| Grand Canyon | +2200 |
| Chicago State | +9000 |