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College Basketball Betting: NIT Semifinal Rundown

The National Invitation Tournament used to be more prestigious than the NCAA Tournament, way back when. That changed in the 1950s due to a scandal that plagued the NIT.

The tournament still remained a significant part of college basketball’s postseason through the 1980s, until the size of the NCAA Tournament increased and became a much more lucrative event.

College Basketball Betting: NIT Semifinal Rundown
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

Today, the NIT is less prestigious but it still carries considerable value because it helps young teams or growing programs develop confidence and belief for the following season.

Three of the four teams which have reached the NIT semifinals in Madison Square Garden fit this profile. One of the four is an exception. Let’s take a look at the NCAA odds here and determine the best option for those who bet online.

As well explore a variety of other basketball odds here to win!

Saint Bonaventure Bonnies vs Xavier Musketeers (In New York)

Odds: Xavier -1.5

The Saint Bonaventure Bonnies have been road warriors in the NIT, cashing in multiple times for college basketball picks. They won on the road against Colorado, Oklahoma, and Virginia to get to the semifinals.

This team underachieved in the regular season but has improved its level of play in the postseason and is intent on writing a happy final chapter to its season.

Saint Bonaventure University is located in Olean, N.Y., so, the Bonnies are playing in their home state and should have a strong partisan crowd at their back in MSG. The Bonnies have to like their position in this game.

Xavier comes into this game with an interim coaching staff. Travis Steele was fired after Xavier missed the NCAA Tournament. The program then re-hired Sean Miller, who had coached at Xavier over a decade ago before going to Arizona to take over the Wildcats.

Miller ran into off-court problems but sat out this past season and is now returning as head coach with his former employer, which has given him a second chance.

Xavier has played three home games in the NIT, whereas Saint Bonaventure played on the road. In this neutral-site game, Xavier will have to show it can win away from Cincinnati. They’ll cover, in the sportsbook.

Washington State Cougars vs Texas A&M Aggies (In New York)

Odds: Texas A&M -1.5

These two teams are very similar. They didn’t quite put all the pieces together in the regular season, but they are improving and will expect to make the NCAA Tournament next year in 2023.

The other noticeable similarity between these two teams is how they have moved through the NIT bracket to get to the semifinals. Both teams have won by 12 points or more in all three of their NIT games.

They have both looked extremely impressive and are playing their best basketball of the season heading into the second semifinal in New York.

Washington State likes to spread the court in its half-court offense and shoot 3-pointers. Texas A&M relies on a tough man-to-man defense with extended ball pressure.

This is the core clash of the game, the matchup which will likely decide the outcome. Washington State, it should be said, has won multiple road games in the NIT this year, while Texas A&M – like Xavier – played exclusively at home.

Will that matter in a neutral-site game? We’ll see. The parallels between these semifinals are noticeable and fascinating. Xavier and Texas A&M will try to show they can win away from their home floor.

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