South Dakota State vs. Providence Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round
By Reed Wallach
The NCAA Tournament has arrived and let the Madness begin!
No. 4 seed Providence was able to win the Big East regular season crown, but lost in its first game of the Big East Tournament, and now will have its hands full with upstart 13 seed South Dakota State, who boasts one of the best offenses in the country out of the Summit League.
Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook as well as a statistical breakdown and best bet for this first round meeting:
South Dakota State vs. Providence Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- South Dakota State: +2 (-110)
- Providence: -2 (-110)
Moneyline:
- South Dakota State: +120
- Providence: -130
Total: 148.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
South Dakota State vs. Providence Analysis
South Dakota State
- Regular Season Record: 30-4
- ATS Record: 18-14-1
- Over/Under Record: 17-16
- SoS: 147th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 116.8
- Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 105.3
- eFG%: 59.7%
- FT%: 76%
- 3PT%: 44.2%
- Las Year's Tournament Result: N/A
- Odds to Win National Championship: +3000 (Field)
Providence
- Regular Season Record: 25-5
- ATS Record:17-13
- Over/Under Record: 16-14
- SoS: 46th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 111.8
- Defensive Efficiency: 98.0
- eFG%: 50.3%
- FT%: 72.6%
- 3PT%: 34.3%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: N/A
- Odds to win National Championship: +7500
South Dakota State vs. Providence Prediction and Pick
People have been calling for Providence's downfall since December, and guess what ladies and gentlemen, you'll get your chance to see it.
South Dakota State boasts an elite offense that is No. 1 in effective field goal percentage and 12th in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
The team does struggle on the offensive glass and can be gashed inside, but the Jackrabbits are more than game to get into a track meet with the Friars. Providence has a big man in Nate Watson that can attack SDSU inside, but the team's defense doesn't force turnovers at all (315th in turnover rate this season), and the SDSU should operate with realtive ease.
This comes down to if Providence can match the Jackrabbits on offense. I don't trust the team's shot making to keep up. Ed Cooley's bunch is 194th in effective field goal percentage over the last month, per barttorvik.com, and I think we see South Dakota State build an early lead and hold on because Providence can't force turnovers.
PICK: South Dakota State +2, play to -1
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
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