NCAA basketball betting has Butler traveling down the road to meet in-state rival Valparaiso on Friday in a game that can be seen on ESPN U. The Bulldogs are 25-4 and headed for the NCAA Tournament while Valparaiso will have to win the conference tournament to get in. The Bulldogs are likely to be the choice for those that make a college basketball bet. NCAA basketball betting has seen Butler win the last seven games against Valparaiso. The Bulldogs are just 1-3-1 against the NCAA basketball betting odds in the last four meetings though. Butler won 84-67 at home earlier this season against Valparaiso but they just missed covering the 18.5 point line.
This is the last regular season game for both teams as the Horizon League Tournament will begin next week. It is Senior Night for Valparaiso on Friday and fifth-year guard Brandon McPherson will be breaking a school record when he plays in his 128th career game.
This game could be important to Valparaiso if they can pull off the upset. It is all about seeding for next week’s Horizon League Tournament for Valpo. If Valparaiso can get a win they would guarantee at least a number four seed in the tourney and that would mean a winnable game against Illinois Chicago or Youngstown State in the first round. If they lose against Butler then they could finish anywhere from fourth to sixth place in the conference.
Valparaiso has been solid at home this season as they are 9-2 straight up. They are also 6-3 against the NCAA basketball betting line. With a win, Valparaiso would get to double-digit home wins for the 13th time in the last 17 seasons. Many of the Valparaiso games this season have been close. 13 of their 17 games have been decided by single digits. Nine of those games have gone down to the last few seconds. The Crusaders have the top offense in the conference, averaging 73.1 points per game. The Crusaders also lead the league overall in field goal percentage (47.2%), assists/game (15.1), and 3-pointers/game (7.7). With that high scoring offense, 16 of their games this season have gone over the college basketball bet total.
As you look at this NCAA basketball betting matchup, don’t expect Butler to overlook this game as with a win they will finish unbeaten in the Horizon League this season.