- 10-seed Nevada takes on 7-seed Dayton in the Round of 64
- Despite being the 10-seed, Nevada is the favorite to advance to the next round
- See below for Nevada vs Dayton predictions, odds, and props
Nevada and Dayton meet in Salt Lake City Utah on Thursday in the Round of 64. This is the 7-10 game in the West region of the March Madness bracket, and the winner will face the winner of Arizona and Long Beach State. Tip-off for this game is at 4:30 ET tomorrow.
While they lost their first game of the Mountain West Tournament, the Wolfpack earned the 2-seed. They are one of six Mountain West teams to make this tournament. Dayton was ranked for a good portion of the season, but faltered towards the end and lost to Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
These teams are close in the KenPom rankings, as Dayton is ranked 33 and Nevada is ranked 34.
Nevada vs Dayton Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada Wolfpack | -1.5 (-105) | -120 | Over 136.5 (-110) |
| Dayton Flyers | +1.5 (-115) | +100 | Under 136.5 (-110) |
The college basketball odds list the 10-seed as 1.5-point favorites over Dayton. This is just one of a few March Madness games where the lower seed is favored over the higher seed. At -120 odds, Nevada has a 54.55% chance of winning this game. The total opened at O/U 137.5 but has since moved down to 136.5.
Nevada is not only favored to win this game, but they also have better Final Four odds. The Wolfpack have the ninth-best odds to win the West region at +3000, and Dayton has the eleventh-best odds at +5000.
Odds as of March 20 at BetMGM. Get the sign up offer for BetMGM before wagering on March Madness. If already registered at MGM, check out the Fanatics Sportsbook promo.
Nevada Betting Trends
Nevada is 21-11 against the spread this season and has covered in six of their last eight games. The Wolfpack are led by the dynamic guard duo of Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear.
More 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 for our guys 🏆
Congratulations to Kenan Blackshear & Jarod Lucas on earning NABC Second Team All-District 17 honors!#BattleBorn | #PackParty pic.twitter.com/cinUWzdS6i
— Nevada Basketball (@NevadaHoops) March 19, 2024
Lucas leads the team in scoring with an average of 17.8 points per game. He also shoots nearly 40% from behind the arc. Blackshear, on the other hand, is not far behind. He averages 15.1 points per game and shoots 39.9% from the field. Thanks in part to the play of these two guards, the over has hit in six straight games that Nevada has played.
Nevada shoots the ball well from behind the arc, but they do not shoot as much as you might think with their slow tempo. The Wolfpack’s defense leaves some to be desired. Where they struggle most is guarding the three-pointer. Nevada is not afraid to let other teams shoot from behind the arc. They are also not strong on the interior and force a lot of fouls.
Dayton Betting Trends
The Flyers had a great 2023-24 season. They finished 24-7 overall and went 15-15-1 against the spread, but after a stunning loss to Duquesne in the A10 quarterfinals, they have now lost three of their last six.
Dayton plays at one of the slowest paces in the country, yet they are extremely effective on offense because of how well they shoot the three. The Flyers are third in the country in three-point percentage at 40.19%. They only trail Kentucky and Purdue in that category. According to KenPom, Dayton is 18th in adjusted offensive efficiency.
While they shoot the ball well, the Flyers can also play well down low, with DaRon Holmes averaging over eight rebounds and two blocks per game. Dayton will need more from the rest of their team on the defensive side of the ball, as they have not been great of late. Dayton is also top-heavy, as they typically only play with six players.
Nevada vs Dayton Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DaRon Holmes (DAY) | 19.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 9.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 2.5 (Ov +110 | Un -145) | 0.5 (Ov -155 | Un +115) |
| Jarod Lucas (NEV) | 18.5 (Ov +100 | Un -130) | 2.5 (Ov -185 | Un +135) | 1.5 (Ov -150 | Un +115) | 2.5 (Ov +100 | Un -130) |
| Kenan Blackshear (NEV) | 14.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov -135 | Un +105) | 4.5 (Ov -145 | Un +1100) | OFF |
| Nate Santos (DAY) | 11.5 (Ov +110 | Un -145) | 5.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 1.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | 1.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) |
| Nick Davidson (NEV) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 7.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | 1.5 (Ov +170 | Un -225) | 0.5 (Ov -135 | Un +100) |
| Koby Brea (DAY) | 9.5 (Ov +100 | Un -130) | 3.5 (Ov -135 | Un +100) | 0.5 (Ov -250 | Un +180) | 2.5 (Ov +125 | Un -160) |
| Enoch Cheeks (DAY) | 9.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 4.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 2.5 (Ov +120 | Un -155) | 0.5 (Ov -150 | Un +115) |
| Kobe Elvis (DAY) | 9.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 2.5 (Ov +100 | Un -135) | 3.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | 1.5 (Ov +115 | Un -150) |
| Javon Bennett (DAY) | 7.5 (Ov -130 | Un -105) | 2.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | 2.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) | 1.5 (Ov +115 | Un -150) |
| Tre Coleman (NEV) | 7.5 (Ov -120 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov +120 | Un -155) | 2.5 (Ov -155 | Un +120) | 1.5 (Ov +135 | Un -185) |
College basketball player props from BetMGM on March 20, 2024.
While Jarod Lucas’s average is less than 18.5 points, Lucas has scored at least 19 points in six of his last seven games. He scored 18 points in the one game where he did not get to 19.
Kobe Elvis’s assist prop of 3.5 is right at his season-long average of 3.6. In his last five games, however, Elvis has had at least five assists in four of those games.
Enoch Cheeks’s three-pointer prop is sitting at 0.5. Cheeks has made at least one three pointer in five of his last six outings.
Nevada vs Dayton Prediction
This game will come down to the wire, just as the spread suggests. Both teams are evenly matched and play similar styles. They want to slow the game down and make their shots, predominantly from behind the three-point line.
Guard play is important in March, and that gives Nevada the edge in this matchup. They trust both Lucas and Blackshear late in games, so having those options is a huge advantage. The Wolfpack also have the travel advantage and are used to playing in altitude due to their Mountain West schedule.
Dayton could get winded early on, especially since they only primarily use a six-man rotation. All in all, this will be a slow, low-scoring game where Nevada pulls away in the end.
Picks:
- Nevada -1.5 (-105)
- Under 136.5 (-110)
In a highly anticipated matchup on March 21, the Nevada Wolf Pack will face off against the Dayton Flyers in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Both teams have had successful seasons and are looking to advance to the next round with a win in this game.
When it comes to betting odds, the Nevada Wolf Pack are currently listed as the favorites to win this game. They have been playing solid basketball all season and have proven themselves to be a tough team to beat. On the other hand, the Dayton Flyers have also had a strong season and should not be underestimated.
As for predictions, this game is expected to be a close one with both teams giving it their all on the court. The Nevada Wolf Pack will likely rely on their strong offense led by standout players like Jalen Harris and Lindsey Drew. Meanwhile, the Dayton Flyers will look to their own star players such as Obi Toppin and Jalen Crutcher to lead them to victory.
In terms of player props, there are several options to consider for this game. Bettors may want to look at prop bets for individual players such as total points scored, rebounds, assists, and more. Keep an eye on key matchups and player performances throughout the game to help inform your betting decisions.
Overall, this matchup between Nevada and Dayton is sure to be an exciting one for fans and bettors alike. With both teams hungry for a win, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated game. Be sure to tune in and place your bets for what promises to be a thrilling showdown on March 21.
