The Pacific Tigers (8-3) and No. 10 BYU Cougars (9-1) meet Tuesday at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Pacific vs. BYU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
BYU leads the all-time series 18-7 over Pacific, including 9-2 at home. The Cougars have won six in a row at home against the Tigers, including 81-66 in the final meeting as members of the West Coast Conference on Feb. 4, 2023.
BYU paddled UC Riverside 100-53 as a 34-point favorite as the Under (155) cashed. F AJ Dybantsa stayed hot, going for 26 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and a block with an 11-of-17 shooting night in 31 minutes. G Khadim Mboup went for 12 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting off the bench in 17 minutes. BYU has won 6 in a row, while going 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 7 outings. The Under has cashed in 3 in a row.
Pacific routed Simpson University, an NAIA school, by a 104-50 score. F Isaac Jack went for 20 points and 10 rebounds, while F Elias Ralph ended up with 14 points and 10 boards. It was a nice feel-good win after a 67-61 loss at Cal, although the Tigers did cover as an 8-point underdog against the Golden Bears. Pacific has won 5 of the past 6 games, while covering 5 in a row against Division I teams. The Under is 7-1 in the past 8 games for Pacific, too.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Pacific at BYU odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:38 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacific +2800 (bet $100 to win $2,800) | BYU -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pacific +25.5 (-118) | BYU -25.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Pacific at BYU picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 83, Pacific 60
PASS.
BYU (-10000) is obviously too expensive. In other words, the Cougars would require a $100 bet for a $1 reward, so there’s no reason to ever back such a heavy favorite.
PACIFIC +25.5 (-118) is worth playing lightly. It’s unlikely that the Tigers make an upset bid against their former WCC rivals, but Pacific has covered 5 in a row, and they’re 4-1 ATS in 5 true road games this season, with the lone exception a 23-point loss at FAU on Nov. 20. In 7 games off campus, Pacific is 6-1 ATS, too. Conversely, BYU has split 1-1 ATS in the past 2 games as a favorite of 20 or more points.
UNDER 147.5 (-105) might be the best play on the board.
The Under has cashed in 3 in a row, with the Cougars allowing 64 or fewer points in each of the outings, including a neutral-floor win over Clemson, 67-64, on Dec. 9.
Pacific has gone low in 7 of the past 8 games, as they can really play defense. While Michael Olowokandi isn’t coming through that door, the Tigers should still be able to hold BYU somewhat in check.
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