UMass vs. Drexel: NCAA Basketball Picks

The University of Massachusetts Minutemen and the Drexel Dragons meet tonight in the first of the NIT Semi-Final matchups. Which of these two teams are we expecting to book a ticket to the NIT finals?

The quarterfinals of the NIT are set to tip off this evening, as the University of Massachusetts squares off with Drexel. Drexel is a three seed and will host this quarterfinals game, after knocking out both UCF and Northern Iowa in the first two rounds. UMass on the other hand, knocked out number one seeded Seton Hall in the second round 77-67, after beating Mississippi State in the first round.

NCAA Basketball odds makers had opened with Drexel listed as a 6/6 point favorite, but early sports betting action has lowered that number to 6 at most college basketball betting shops. The matchup's total has just been set at 141

This game’s winner will win a trip to New York to play in the semi finals from Madison Square Garden. Which side of this NIT quarterfinal game do you want to be on when it comes time to place your NCAA basketball picks? 

Dragon rage 

Drexel joined the ever-growing group of snubbed mid-majors that had great seasons and didn’t get invited to the big dance this year. They lost in the CAA finals to VCU, and despite having a 29-6 record and a 16-2 conference record, were not sent an invite to the NCAA tournament. I’ll save you from my great mid-major team versus average big conference team rant, and simply say that Drexel they got snubbed. I could write a whole other article on that topic. 

Now the Dragons have a chip on their shoulder and are looking to make a statement in the NIT. This is the same team that won 19 games in a row and 25 out of 26 games during the regular season and CAA tournament before losing to VCU in the conference championship game. Needless to say, that would have made for a great NCAA tournament story. 

Minutemen 

The Minutemen were another team that got beat by an eventual NCAA tournament team, when they lost to St. Bonaventure in the semi finals of the A-10 conference tournament. The Bonnies would go on to win the A-10 in the finals over Xavier, before losing to Florida State in the first round of the NCAAs. 

While UMass wasn’t quite a tournament snub, they did have a solid season in a tougher then normal Atlantic 10 conference, and have a shot tonight at making up for losing in the semis of their conference tournament. This is a team that was a top 25 team in the country in points per game, rebounds and assists. If you can’t tell already, this game should be a pretty nice one. 

The Sharp Pick

Even though Drexel carries a bigger chip on their shoulder then UMass I like the Minutemen to keep this game close until the end and cover the +6.5. I normally don’t like tailing the public in this situation, but in this case, Umass and Drexel do match up with one another quite well.

I still like the Dragons to win the game and advance to Madison Square Garden, but I think the outstanding point guard play of sophomore Chaz Williams of Umass will be key in them covering the spread here tonight. UMass played a tough schedule over the year, and that will prove to be the turning point in this game. Take the points with the Minutemen.