American Tournament: Wichita State vs USF Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 15)
- The Shockers last made the NCAA Tournament in 2021.
- The Bulls hope to make their first NCAA Tournament since 2012.
- This marks the 17th all-time meeting between the American programs.
An important showdown will take place in the American Conference as the South Florida Bulls take on the Wichita State Shockers in the championship game. The matchup is a tossup with a slight edge towards the Bulls, but the Shockers have the quality to rain on their opponent’s parade and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
How to Watch
- When: Sunday, March 15, 3:15 pm ET
- Where: Legacy Arena at BJCC, Birmingham, Alabama
- How to Watch: ESPN
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State | -108 | +6 | O150.5 |
| USF | -112 | -6 | U150.5 |
Game Preview
The Shockers (22-10, 13-5 American) cannot be underestimated as one of the best squads in the conference. They enjoyed a bye to the semifinals as they took down Tulsa to advance to the championship round. Kenyon Giles notched his 17th 20-point game of the season behind his 27 points on 7-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc. Will Berg also added his ninth double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while dishing out four assists.
The Bulls (24-8, 15-3 American) find themselves in the mix for a potential NCAA Tournament spot as they are one win away from locking in their spot. They got an automatic bye to the semifinals as they dealt with Charlotte to advance to the championship game. Joseph Pinion finished with 24 points and six three-pointers, recording his ninth game this season with at least five made threes and his sixth game with six or more. Meanwhile, Wes Enis also scored 24 points while knocking down four three-pointers and adding five assists and three rebounds.
Wichita State vs USF Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 16 meetings in their history, and the result is 12-4 for the Shockers. The last matchup was in February this year when USF secured a 66-58 overtime win on the road.
Wichita State vs USF Predictions
There is a lot at stake for both squads as one team will get to represent the American in the NCAA Tournament. USF hopes to end a drought that has lasted for over a decade, while Wichita State looks to claim its first American Tournament title as a member. Both squads have enjoyed hot stretches throughout the season, but the Shockers might be riding the hotter momentum. Our betting pick here is the Shockers to cover a 6-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â Wichita State Shockers +6
