Chicago State Cougars vs Utah Valley St. Wolverines Point Spread Picks

Chicago State had been a notoriously bad team for many years, however, this season the Cougars have been moneymakers at 18-13 ATS, including covering their last three as big underdogs, as they are tonight. Utah Valley has split its last 10 games and lost 62-46 at New Mexico State on Saturday while shooting just 34.7%. Chicago State has covered four of its last five against teams with winning records, and the Wolverines are 5-12 ATS versus teams with .400 or below winning percentages. The Cougars enjoyed one of their biggest wins ever in defeating New Mexico State 61-59 as a 19.5-point underdog on Feb. 26. Back Chicago State for a Max Play.

Utah Valley State has great balance on offense with four players scoring in double digits. They're sixth in the WAC in points scored, third in assists, third in field goal shooting (.460) and three-point shooting (.362). They've scored 29 and 32 points in each of the first halves of the last two games and face a Chicago State defense that is last in the conference at defending beyond the arc (.380), second-worst in field goal 'D', and 11th in points surrendered (73.5 ppg). Chicago State is off a win over Lamar and is 7-0 OVER the First Half Total after a win by 10+ points. In the last meeting between these teams, it was a 94-73 final with a 42-32 halftime score. Take Utah Valley State/Chicago State OVER in the First Half as my Total of the Month. 

The Chicago State Cougars are often over-matched as this is far from even a mediocre basketball program. The Cougars are 28-147 SU since the start of the 2014 season. They have allowed opponents to crack the 80-point mark in 97 games. They have allowed 83.5 points per game this season. Utah Valley State has been in a lot of up-tempo games recently cashing five of their last six to the OVER. They are a big home favorite tonight so they should easily dictate the pace which for them has been up-tempo. Play on the OVER.