I’m just as excited as everyone for the NCAA Tournament starting Thursday. With that said, don’t sleep on NIT picks for best bets; our projections and sharps found a bunch of savvy picks for the lower-profile tourney tonight.
As the college basketball postseason heats up with both Wednesday’s NIT and First Four games, our PRO data highlighted three best bets in the less popular bracket. The spotlight is on Samford vs. George Mason, where PRO Projections highlight intriguing opportunities, while sharp bettors are casting big bets on Dayton vs. FAU.
Let’s delve into the insights and evaluate the best picks for tonight’s action using our proprietary PRO Projections and sharp betting trends.
NIT Best Bets for Samford vs. George Mason, Dayton vs. FAU
Both games tip off at 7 p.m. ET.
We start with George Mason vs. Samford, which holds two gaudy model edges.
Tonight, George Mason enters the game as a 6.5-point favorite over Samford. Our PRO Projections, however, suggest that the fair line should be -8.9, presenting a grade-B pick on the favorites, George Mason, as they have been undervalued by the market. Bettors looking for a solid wager might consider taking George Mason against the spread given this discrepancy.
PRO Projections Prediction: George Mason Against the Spread
Additionally, PRO Projections indicate a favorable angle on the total points scored. The current over/under line is set at 148.5, yet our data forecasts a tighter matchup with a predicted total of 144.6 points. Consequently, there’s value in betting on the under, given the expectation for a game that leans towards defensive tactics, possibly resulting in fewer points than anticipated by standard sportsbooks.
PRO Projections Prediction: George Mason vs. Samford Under
Turning to the Dayton vs. FAU clash, the game can be characterized as a toss-up, reflected by FAU being a slender 1-point favorite. Interestingly, sharps have consistently bet on FAU, as Bet Labs tracked moves on the Owls when the line was at +1, and at times a pick ’em.
PRO Prediction: FAU Against the Spread
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Our PRO signals flag far more great picks than our staff could author each day — that’s where Action AI comes in. Using generative AI, signals that hit a high grade threshold are written up into articles that are then vetted and edited by a human to help us get you all the sharp action. Read more about how it works here.