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Miles Heide #40 of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on as we make our UAB vs. San Diego State prediction for the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
Miles Heide #40 of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on against the Utah State Aggies during semifinal game of the Mountain West basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images via AFP.

The No. 5 San Diego State Aztecs are heavily favored to win against the No. 12 UAB Blazers in the East Region opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Our prediction for the UAB vs. San Diego State game is based on the most favorable March Madness odds available.

San Diego State, seeded No. 5, made it to the championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament and is once again in a familiar position as they prepare for the 2024 March Madness. The top sports betting sites are favoring SDSU in their matchup against the UAB Blazers, with the game scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. ET on TNT.

SDSU is projected to be one of the 11 teams that could win the NCAA Tournament, but their offense is a weak point compared to other teams. UAB’s strong defensive strategy could pose a challenge for SDSU in the opening round.

Here is our top prediction and picks for the UAB vs. San Diego State college basketball game in March Madness, based on odds from the best betting sites. Our confidence level is rated on a 1-to-5-star scale.

Odds for UAB vs. San Diego State

Prediction for UAB (12) vs. San Diego State (5) in the East Region:

San Diego State to score under 73.5 points ⭐⭐⭐

The best odds are -114 from FanDuel.

Predicting the outcome of this game is challenging, especially since the odds have shifted in favor of UAB despite KenPom’s projection of a 9-point victory for San Diego State. I have doubts about the Aztecs’ ability to perform offensively in a crucial situation on Friday.

UAB is lacking in defensive prowess, ranking below the top 200 in adjusted efficiency. The Blazers struggle to create turnovers and give up too many open shots around the perimeter. However, this weakness can work in their favor if opponents are enticed into taking three-point shots without the right shooters to make them count.

San Diego State, ranked 307th nationally in 3-point percentage at 31.3%, is one of the poorest shooting teams in the country. Despite their strength in scoring inside, they may face challenges against NBA prospect Yaxel Lendeborg, who stands at 6-foot-9, 230 pounds. Lendeborg ranks in the top 30 nationally for blocks per game (2.1) and top 15 for defensive rebound rate (27.7%), making him a formidable opponent for the Aztecs.

San Diego State’s slow tempo suggests that this team total may be a bit too high, especially if the Aztecs struggle with their three-point shooting.

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The best odds for the UAB vs. San Diego State game.

FanDuel (-114)

DraftKingsFanDuelBetMGMCaesarsbet365
Under 72.5Under 73.5Under 73.5Under 73.5Under 73.5
-110-114-125-115-125

Out of our top five sports betting sites, all are offering a team total for San Diego State, with four setting the total as high as 73.5. However, only one site has odds of -114 or better for this wager, making FanDuel the recommended choice for placing this bet.

Considering the narrow difference between our price and Caesars’, I strongly suggest exploring our March Madness betting promotions to maximize your wager on this game and other NCAA Tournament matchups.

Analysis of the spread and Over/Under for the UAB vs. San Diego State matchup.

This first-round game has experienced significant line movement, with San Diego State originally opening as a 10.5-point favorite before stabilizing at -7 to -7.5 at our top sportsbooks.

The total has fluctuated, ranging from 133.5 to 139.5 at BetMGM by Tuesday evening. The number may continue to increase in a game expected to have a total of 143 points according to KenPom.

Game information for the UAB vs. San Diego State matchup.

  • When: Friday, March 22
  • Tip-off: 1:45 p.m. ET
  • Location: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington.
  • How to watch: TNT

Prediction for UAB vs. San Diego State was made on Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time.

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