LMU BYU prediction, pick, how to watch
The LMU Lions take on the BYU Cougars. Check out our college basketball odds series for our LMU BYU prediction and pick. Find out how to watch LMU BYU.
The BYU Cougars had a lost season in the West Coast Conference. They lost away to San Francisco. They lost on the road to Santa Clara. They lost a late home lead to Gonzaga. Game after game, BYU allowed tight competition to slip away in the final minutes. It happened again last Saturday during the Cougars’ last game. BYU rallied to take a late lead against Saint Mary’s, but a few missed free throws at the critical moment left the door open for the Gaels, who scored in the dying seconds for a one-point victory over the frustrated Cougars, who know that the only way they can make the NCAA tournament at this point is to win the WCC tournament in early March in Las Vegas.
BYU lost to Loyola Marymount earlier this season, so the Cougars will seek revenge and split the regular-season series between the two schools.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the LMU-BYU College Basketball odds:
College Basketball Odds: LMU-BYU Odds
LMU Lions: +4.5 (-106)
BYU Cougars: -4.5 (-114)
Over: 143.5 (-110)
Minus: 143.5 (-110)
How to watch LMU vs. BYU
Television: CBS Sports Network
Stream: CBSSports.com
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. PT
*Watch LMU-BYU LIVE with fuboTV (Click for Free Trial)*
Why LMU could cover the spread
This team is hard to write off due to a seismic event a few weeks ago. Remember: LMU beat Gonzaga on the road, snapping the Zags’ 75-game winning streak on the court. The result also ended Gonzaga’s winning streak against non-BYU and non-Saint Mary’s opponents in the West Coast Conference. That streak lasted nine years, starting in 2014. Gonzaga also had a 90+ game winning streak against unranked opponents. That streak ended with LMU winning The Kennel in Spokane. If LMU is good enough to pull off one of the biggest and most memorable upsets of the college basketball season in a road game, they can definitely go to Provo and beat a BYU team that has clearly had a hard time. struggling to finish matches against equally talented or slightly better opponents. This can reasonably be considered a chronic problem for the Cougars, who continue to play close games and continue to falter in the final minutes. If it’s a close game, that means LMU will probably cover. A four-point loss for the Lions would cover the gap.
Why BYU might cover the spread
The Cougars’ frustrations with their inability to win close games didn’t stop them from playing hard. One setback after another, BYU keeps returning to the field and, without winning, plays with passion and intensity. It’s not like this team gave up at any point in the season. It’s not like BYU has lost faith. It is not a matter of desire or effort. BYU regularly puts on an energetic and vigorous performance. It’s just that the endgame execution and shooting aren’t there. If BYU keeps playing with good effort, the shots will eventually come down. The pieces will eventually fit together. BYU will beat a decent team by 10 points and we’ll see the Cougars still have the potential to improve in the final month of the season.
The other thing to point out here is that LMU now have a target on their back after winning at Gonzaga. It’s a good motivational angle for BYU, beating the team that stunned the Zags.
LMU-BYU Final Prediction and Selection
Stay away from this game. BYU may be ready to pack it for the season, but it might as well come out of the gates roaring against an LMU team that can beat Gonzaga but is far from the bubble. NCAA Tournament. Grab a pass on this one.
LMU-BYU final prediction and selection: BYU -4.5