Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Baylor Bears 12:00 PM ET

Game# 725-726

At this present time (3/17), the NIT odds at Bovada is showing Baylor as a 6-0-point favorite, and there’s a posted total of 137.0.

Baylor is averaging a robust 80.6 points scored per game at home this season while also shooting an impressive 49.5% from the field. Baylor has gone over the total in each of their previous 3 contests, and there was a combined average of 142.0 points scored per game.

Mississippi State has gone over the total in 5 of its last 6 road games, and there was a combined average of 157.3 points scored per game. The Bulldogs will be facing a Baylor team that forces just 12 turnovers per game, and that’s a significant piece of data. Since game 15 of this season, Mississippi State has gone over the total on all 6 occasions when facing a team that forces 12 or less turnovers per game. Those 6 contests averaged a combined 158.0 points scored per game.

Relative to the current total, this game points directly toward a high scoring affair. I’m going to follow along that path when making one of my Sunday NIT picks.

Pick: Over 137.0

Oregon Ducks @ Marquette Golden Eagles 4:30 PM ET

Game# 727-728

Oregon was impressive during a 99-86 home win over Rider during 2018 NIT 1^st round action. The Ducks shot a blistering hot 58.9% in that game. That was a needed boost of confidence for a Ducks team that painfully endured 3 poor shooting performances during last week’s PAC-12 Tournament.

Marquette advanced to this 2018 NIT 2^nd round game by way of a 67-60 home win over Harvard. That game easily went under the total of 147.0. Marquette has gone over the total in 10 of 12 games this season following an under in their previous contest. Those 12 outings averaged an enormous 170.7 points combined being scored per game.

Presently, the college basketball betting odds at 5Dimes is displaying a total of 152.5 on this game. I’m predicting a wildly entertaining and high scoring game.

Pick: Over 152.5

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders @ Louisville Cardinals 6:30 PM ET

Game# 733-734

I’m still scratching my head on how and why Middle Tennessee State was snubbed by the NCAA Tournament Committee. After all, they were ranked in the AP Top 25 up until a couple of weeks ago. The Blue Raiders have an outstanding 25-7 record and all their losses came by 10 points or less. The one thing that jumps out at me most regarding Middle Tennessee State is their excellent 12-1 season record in true road games.

The Louisville Cardinals have dealt with adversity since the opening of fall practice, and it was mostly due in part to legendary head coach Rick Pitino being fired amid an ongoing NCAA investigation. Somehow, they managed to grind out a decent 22-13 season thus far despite the turmoil and uncertainty. However, this isn’t your vintage Louisville team that always seemed invincible when playing at Freedom Hall. The Cardinals have lost 5 times at home, and that includes dropping 4 of its last 6 played at Freedom Hall.

Louisville put together a rather lackluster effort in their NIT opening round 66-58 win over Northern Kentucky. The Cardinals needed to overcome a 30-23 halftime deficit and did so by outscoring Northern Kentucky 43-28 during 2^nd half action. Nevertheless, they will be facing a much tougher opponent on Sunday, and one that’s playing with a monumental chip on its shoulder.

A consensus of NIT betting odds at all the top-rated offshore sportsbooks calculates Louisville to be a 5.0-point favorite over Middle Tennessee State. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see the underdog win this game outright. Nonetheless, I’ll take the points as an additional bonus.

Pick: Middle Tennessee State +5.0

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com