WAC Event Odds, Picks & Schedule 2023

Jan 18, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; GCU Lopes guard Rayshon Harrison (0) smiles after making a 3-pointer in opposition to the Utah Tech Trailblazers at GCU Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic

Ncaa Basketball Gcu Hoops Utah Tech At Grand Canyon

• The Western Athletic Convention Event begins on Tuesday, March seventh, in Las Vegas
• Oddsmakers have set this up as a two-horse race between Sam Houston State and Utah Valley
• Under, see the WAC Event odds for all 12 groups in addition to betting predictions

One of many extra distinctive convention tournaments in school basketball will get occurring Tuesday, March seventh with first spherical motion from the Western Athletic Convention. All however one squad from the 13-team convention certified for an opportunity to chop down the nets by profitable the WAC.

The lone crew that didn’t qualify is New Mexico State, final yr’s champions and winners of this event eight of the final 10 instances. It was a disastrous season for the Aggies who utterly fell off the map and went by way of a litany of scandals, contributing to a 2-16 convention file.

With the Aggies out of the combo, there are two clear minimize favorites to win the title in Las Vegas. The Utah Valley Wolverines, who completed with the most effective convention file, however are literally the No. 2 seed and the highest seed, Sam Houston State. Try the WAC event odds for all of the groups under as we additionally provide up our greatest guess.

Western Athletic Convention Event Odds

It’s principally a coin flip within the odds with Sam Houston State +125 chalk and Utah Valley sitting proper behind them at +150. Each side have been large defensively this season, with the Bearkats ranked within the prime 5% of all squads within the nation in adjusted defensive effectivity in keeping with KenPom.

Bearing that in thoughts, Sam Houston State are the facet from this convention which can be penciled in as a 13-seed in our newest March Insanity bracket projection.

Odds as of March fifth from  FanDuel Sportsbook. Unlock the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code to position your guess.

Western Athletic Convention Event Format

Seeds 1 by way of 4 get a event bye to the quarterfinals, whereas seeds 5 by way of 12 play their first spherical video games on Tuesday. Whoever will get to the ultimate must play three video games in as many days culminating with the championship contest on Saturday, March eleventh.

In contrast to each different convention within the nation, the WAC doesn’t use convention data when figuring out seeding. As a substitute the WAC makes use of a resume seeding system, based mostly on a method that additionally accounts for the energy of non-conference video games performed and gained.

The 2023 WAC Event Bracket. #WAC pic.twitter.com/Kz5wXwSNRj

— Rocco Miller (@RoccoMiller8) March 4, 2023

That sums up the rationale Sam Houston State are pitted because the No. 1 seed regardless of ending behind Utah Valley within the common season convention standings. The winner of the event will get an automated bid to the NCAA Event and the ultimate may be seen on ESPN 2.

Two arenas in Las Vegas are taking part in host to all of the event motion.

Time for a New Winner within the WAC Event

As talked about above, with New Mexico State not collaborating, this tourney is actually up for grabs. Amongst present WAC members, 5 have competed in at the least one WAC event however failed to succeed in the title recreation. The 2 favorites, the Bearkats and Wolverines, are amongst these 5 squads.

Will they be capable to produce with excessive expectations? That’s but to be seen. Sporting a defensive unit that may evaluate to the favorites within the odds to win March Insanity, Sam Houston State is available in with a head filled with confidence having gained 12 of their final 13 matchups.

Of their solely head-to-head assembly this yr, the Wolverines simply dealt with the Bearkats, defeating them by 16 factors at residence. If it comes all the way down to the 2 favorites within the remaining, you marvel if that matchup will give Utah Valley a psychological edge.

Finest Longshot Wager to Win WAC Event

The percentages dramatically drop off after the highest two favorites, with Southern Utah proudly owning the third shortest odds to take the event crown at +800. That offers them an implied win chance of simply 11.11% to stage an inconceivable upset.

For those who’re searching for massive money, our decide is to go together with the Grand Canyon Lopes who’re the fifth seed and personal +2000 odds. They carried out admirably in opposition to the chalk within the convention, defeating Sam Houston State in time beyond regulation this yr and dropping by a bucket to Utah Valley in late January.

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 vibes with a 2-0 highway journey headed into Vegas. 🗣 #LopesUp pic.twitter.com/GyBEHlCuB2

— Grand Canyon Males’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) March 4, 2023

Whereas their protection leaves one thing to be desired, the Lopes have the most effective adjusted offensive effectivity and efficient area purpose share in your complete convention in keeping with the KenPom rankings.

Led by Rayshon Harrison, Grand Canyon arguably sports activities the most effective guard line within the WAC. Excluding New Mexico State, they’re the final crew to take the WAC event title. At +2000, they may be nicely definitely worth the threat.

Western Athletic Convention Event Predictions

These tournaments are virtually at all times gained by the favorites and our expectation is that the highest seeded crew, Sam Houston State, must be chopping down the nets in Vegas this coming Saturday.

Nonetheless, all people loves a great underdog and it may be a sensible play to unfold slightly cash on Grand Canyon. They need to don’t have any problem defeating their first spherical opponent, UT Arlington, who they stomped 80-48 earlier this yr.

As soon as their offense will get going, it is a harmful squad to take care of in a single recreation knockout format. Our decide right here is to go together with the large payout as a substitute of taking the overwhelming chalk, so throw the cube and slightly dough on the Lopes to take the event crown for the 2nd time in three years.

Choose: Grand Canyon Lopes (+2000)

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