🏀 Wichita State vs. Tulsa Prediction & Picks: NIT Quarterfinal (March 24)

Two opponents that are very familiar with each other meet for the fourth time this season as today's NIT quarterfinal pits AAC rivals Wichita State and Tulsa against each other. Tipoff from Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla., is set for 7 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2. Tulsa is a 4-point betting favorite.

My Wichita State vs. Tulsa prediction takes into account that the Shockers went 2-1 against the Golden Hurricane in the two regular-season and conference-tournament matchups, but expects a result similar to Tulsa's 10-point home victory to even the season series.

🏀 Wichita State vs. Tulsa picks & odds: NIT Quarterfinal

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3.0 units | Max profit: 2.49 units

🏆 Who will win Wichita State vs. Tulsa?

These two teams split their two regular season meetings with each winning on their home floor. But Tulsa has won 27-plus games for the first time since 2001-02, and 25 games in the regular season for just the second time in program history. I'm backing the Golden Hurricane to continue one of the best seasons in school history by evening this season series.

Score prediction: Tulsa 81, Wichita State 75

💰 Wichita State vs. Tulsa prediction & best bet

Tulsa -3.5 (-110)

I’m not putting much stock into Wichita State’s 81-68 victory in the conference tournament over Tulsa, as the Golden Hurricane were at a huge scheduling disadvantage coming off a triple-overtime win, while the Shockers were rested off a bye.

Tulsa’s adaptability in the two regular season games was impressive, and bodes well for its chances of covering. Golden Hurricane point guard Tylen Riley destroyed Wichita State’s drop coverage, scoring 51 points in the regular season split. Meanwhile, one can argue Wichita State was lucky to win the rematch after overcoming a 30-to-6 deficit in 3-point scoring.

🔥 Best Wichita State vs. Tulsa player prop bet

Tylen Riley Over 0.5 3-pointers made (-140)

Wichita State head coach Paul Mills was clearly concerned with Tulsa’s elite perimeter shooting in the first matchup, playing aggressively around the 3-point line and forcing the Golden Hurricane under their season-long 3-point attempt average. Not only did Tulsa still make 40% of its shots from beyond the arc, but it exposed the Shockers with back cuts and with point guard Tylen Riley’s dribble penetration.

Tulsa’s starting five of Miles Barnstable, Tyler Behrend, David Green, Ade Popoola, and Riley led the AAC with a plus-minus of +170, which also ranks them third in the country as a group, per EvanMiya. 

The Golden Hurricane’s 24 games scoring 80-plus points are a school record, and they shattered their previous record of 288 made 3-pointers (set in 2000-01) by making 359 threes this season. Thus, Riley should go Over this total for the fourth straight time against the Shockers.

🚀 Wichita State vs. Tulsa same-game parlay

bet365 was the only one of the best sports betting sites offering a 3-pointer player prop, making it my go-to sportsbook despite there being better point spreads at -3.5 elsewhere. The three legs of this same-game parlay work well together if Tulsa stays as hot on offense as it has through its first two NIT wins. 

💵 My betting record for college basketball

All college basketball picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 13.

💡 How I'm betting Wichita State vs. Tulsa: NIT strategy

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions for March Madness.

After I initially backed Tulsa at -4.5, I regretted not waiting for the line to move, as I now also have secondary wagers at the new number of -3.5. But my eagerness was rewarded in pulling the trigger early on the total, getting the best O/U at 150.5 by a full two points.

I would understand those that are hesitant to back Riley's 3-point prop at steep -140 odds. While it adds nice value to a same-game parlay, these are also great odds for a player that is 5-for-8 from beyond the arc against Wichita State this year, while making at least one 3-pointer in all three matchups.

📊 Live Wichita State vs. Tulsa odds: NIT Quarterfinal

The betting public is likely reacting to Wichita State's 2-1 record against Tulsa this year. The 63% of the early wagers in support of the Shockers has brought the spread down from an opening number of -4.5 to as low as -3.5 at BetMGM and FanDuel.

The O/U is even more one-sided, with 68% of the bets backing the Over. That likely mix of public and sharp support has driven the total up from 150.5 to a unanimous 152.5 across the market.

📈 Wichita State vs. Tulsa betting trends

📺 How to watch Wichita State vs. Tulsa: NIT Quarterfinal

• Date: Tuesday, March 24
• Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Reynolds Center (Tulsa, Okla.)
• TV: ESPN2
• Streaming: ESPN+