Southeast Missouri State vs. Tennessee Tech prediction and odds for OVC Championship Final

It’s March and it’s time to punch tickets to the big dance. The Ohio Valley Conference tournament final is tonight between the SE Missouri State Redhawks and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles for the first NCAA Tournament auto bid of the year.

Tennessee Tech rolled in the semis, 78-63 over UT Martin to get to this spot and got 28 points from Jaylen Sebree in the win. On the other side, SE Missouri State took out No. 1 seeded Morehead State, 65-58. Let’s look at the odds for the OVC final.

Southeast Missouri State vs. Tennessee Tech odds, spread and total

You can expect some fireworks in the first conference tournament game of the year. SE Missouri loves to get up and down the floor and they’re fifth in the nation in possessions per game. That translates to 77.1 points a game even though they’re near 200 in offensive efficiency. They have a lot of ball handling guards, Philip Russell, Chris Harris, and Israel Barnes. They also have little interest in getting stops and allow 76.5 points a game, which is 338th nationally.

The Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech share a similar game plan, though they play at a slightly slower pace. They score 73.3 points a night despite an offensive efficiency near 200 and allow 73.2. Though they’re led by a 6-foot-7 forward, Jaylen Sebree. He could take over this game like he did in the semis with 27 points and in their last matchup, an 82-80 win for Tennessee Tech over SE Missouri State, he had 22 points, nine boards, and five assists.

The over is 20-12 in the Redhawks’ games this season and 17-12 when the Golden Eagles play. This one will be played at a blistering pace and the team with the ball last could be the one that wins it. I’ll take the over as my best bet, but if you made me pick a side I would lean SE Missouri State, their experienced guards and fast pace should be a slight advantage.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

–

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change