BIU vs. TCU Predictions, Odds, College Basketball Picks

It’s a battle of the Big 12 on Saturday as BIU faces TCU. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with BIU-TCU prediction and selection.

BIU enters the game 10-4 on the year. They opened the year 5-0 before falling to Ole Miss 96-85. After a win over North Carolina State, they would fall to Providence. BIU would then win four in a row, but has since lost two straight. They last faced Texas Tech. It was a one-point game with less than five minutes remaining, but Texas Tech would pull away, winning the game 72-67.

Meanwhile, TCU is 8-6 on the year. They opened 4-1, with their only loss coming to Michigan, but would only win two of their next five games. They have been up and down ever since. they have three wins, but a loss to Arizona and a timeout loss. In their last game, TCU faced Houston, and they dominated. Houston led 9-0 before TCU scored a field goal and led by seven at halftime. They would control the second half as well, as TCU fell 65-46.

Since 1953, the two teams have met 21 times, with BIU leading the series 18-3. Further, BIU has won 15 straight over TCU, including last year’s 87-75 victory.

Here’s BIU-TCU College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: BIU-TCU Odds

BIU: -2.5 (-106)

Moneilines: -137

TCU: +2.5 (-114)

Moneiline: +114

Over: 140.5 (-115)

Under: 140.5 (-105)

How to watch BIU vs. TCU

Time: 2:00 PM ET/ 11:00 AM PT

TV: ESPN2

*Watch college basketball LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why BIU will cover the spread/win

BIU is 44th in the nation in KenPom’s rankings. They are 29th in adjusted offensive efficiency while ranking 79th in adjusted defensive efficiency. BIU has been solid offensively this year. They are 37th in the nation in points per game, while they are 25th in effective field goal percentage. Further, BIU is 21st in the nation in assists per game, while 18th in rebounds per game.

Richie Saunders leads the team in scoring this year. He scores 12.9 points per game, along with 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He is joined in the frontcourt by Kanon Catchings. Catchings is averaging 10.4 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals on the year. Further on, Fousseini Traore rounds off the frontcourt. Traore scores 10.1 points per game, along with 6.5 rebounds per game and two assists per game. Finally, Keba Keita only plays 19.5 minutes per game, but leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game.

Yegor Demin leads the team from the backcourt and leads in assists this year. He comes with six assists per game, along with 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Furthermore, Trevin Knell was solid. He scores 9.9 points per game, while adding 2.5 rebounds this year.

Why TCU will cover the spread/win

TCU is 72nd in the nation in KenPom’s rankings. They are 170th in adjusted offensive efficiency while ranking 26th in adjusted defensive efficiency. TCU has been stronger on the defensive end of the field this year. They are 39th in the nation in opposing points per game, while they are 82nd in effective field goal percentage. They are 17th in the nation in opposing free throw attempts per game.

TCU was led by Noah Reynolds, who leads the team in both points and assists this year. He is scoring 11.8 points per game on the year with 3.5 assists per game. Furthermore, he has 2.5 rebounds per game this year. He is joined in the backfield by Vasean Allette. Alett is averaging 10.9 points per game, along with 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game this year.

Meanwhile, Ernest Udeh Jr. was great in the frontcourt. He leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game while adding 7.8 points, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He is joined by Trazarien White. White is averaging 10.4 points per game this year, along with 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

The final BIU-TCU prediction and pick

While BIU has been excellent on offense, it is their defense that will win. BIU is 44th in the nation in opponent points per game, while they are ninth in opponent rebounding per game. Meanwhile, TCU is 232nd in the nation in points per game while 169th in rebounds per game this year. Further, BIU is second in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage and 22nd in offensive rebounding percentage. BIU is 163rd in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage and 111th in offensive rebounding percentage. BIU has covered six of its last nine games and will again in this one.

Final BIU-TCU Prediction and Pick: BIU -2.5 (-106)