Tuesday NIT Betting Guide: How to Bet San Diego-Memphis, 4 Other Games

Some might argue March Madness truly starts on Thursday. But Tuesday could be plenty of fun for bettors.

There are 10 first-round NIT games hosted on campus sites, starting at 7 p.m. ET. Our experts dove into five of those games to find betting value.

Let's get to it.

NIT Betting Odds: Lipscomb at Davidson

• Spread: Lipscomb +2
• Total: 149.5
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

After missing out on an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament, the No. 5 seed Bisons (15-15 against the spread) have a favorable matchup against No. 4 Davidson (17-15 ATS).

Casey Alexander’s crew boasts the 45th-highest 3-point clip (37.3%) across college basketball while the Wildcats have let up the 35th-highest perimeter scoring rate (36.8%). Look for the 6-foot-5 Garrison Matthews (41.2%) to have success from behind the arc, along with defending it well at the other end.

Davidson thrives off its 3-point arsenal via the 31st-highest scoring rate (38.7%) in Division I and shoots it at an above-average 35.3% clip.

Nevertheless, the Bisons have yielded the 47th-lowest 3-point (31.8%) in the nation. Guard Kenny Cooper’s sound on-ball defense should lead the way in keeping Davidson’s attack at bay. — Eli Hershkovich

Pick: Lipscomb +2

NIT Betting Odds: South Dakota State at Texas

• Spread: Texas -9.5
• Total: 153
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

There is something to be said about strength of schedule and talent in games like this.

Texas just missed the NCAA Tournament after failing to beat Kansas in the opening game of the Big 12 Tournament. Kerwin Roach did not shoot well in his limited minutes after returning from suspension, while Big 12 Freshman of the year Jaxson Hayes suffered and injury that will keep him out of this contest.

For South Dakota State, an embarrassing loss to the lowest Summit seed in Western Illinois ended its shot at another NCAA Tournament bid.

South Dakota State comes ranks second nationally in offensive effective field goal percentage, but Texas is much more balance with ranks of 25th and 40th in offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.

Ultimately, it's strength of schedule and talent that separates these teams — South Dakota State has played the 295th schedule compared to Texas at 14th.

The Jackrabbits play a bit of zone defense, something Texas is familiar with in its battles with Baylor and Oklahoma State. Shaka Smart must feel as if he is coaching for his job, and I will side with the more desperate and talented team in the Longhorns. — Collin Wilson

Pick: Texas -9.5

NIT Betting Odds: Loyola Chicago at Creighton

• Spread: Creighton -9.5
• Total: 136
• Time: 9 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPNU

The hangover is real for the Ramblers. Just one year after the magical run for Sister Jean, Loyola Chicago finds itself in the NIT with no chance for a repeat run in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Porter Moser now gets a first-round game against the college he played for in Creighton.

The Blue Jays were rolling heading into the Big East Tournament with five straight wins, including a road victory against Marquette, before falling in a thrilled to Xavier. They have won their last six opening games in postseason play since the 2009 NIT.

The Ramblers will do their best to slow you down with a tempo rank of 348th. Tough rebounding and pressure resulting in turnovers have been the mission objective for Loyola Chicago all year.

Creighton should be well prepared, ranking top 100 in offensive possession length with a seventh national rank in offensive effective field goal percentage. This team can run and shoot.

Even if the game is a grind, the Blue Jays are 16th in the nation in 3-point percentage. Considering the Ramblers are 293rd in defending 3s, this is a game Creighton should feast from behind the arc. — Collin Wilson

Pick: Creighton -9.5

NIT Betting Odds: Campbell at UNC Greensboro

• Spread: UNC Greensboro -10
• Total: 136
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

Campbell and UNC Greensboro are two of the five most press-heavy teams in the nation. The problem for Campbell is its been atrocious vs. the press this season. The Fighting Camels rank 334th in the nation in PPP against the press, per Synergy.

That confirms the old adage — always press a pressing team — but UNC Greensboro has actually been respectable agains the press, ranking 131st in that same category.

That said, it's not a huge sample size and Campbell does rank 13th in the nation in turnover percentage, led by one of the most underrated guards in the country in Chris Clemons.

The nation's leading scorer, Clemons, won't go without a fight and I think +10 is just a bit too many against what I anticipate might be a flat UNC Greensboro team after finding out it was the last team out of the tournament. It's tough to get up for an NIT game against Campbell after that news. — Stuckey

The Pick: Campbell +10

NIT Betting Odds: San Diego at Memphis

• Spread: Memphis -7
• Total: 152.5
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

I also think +7 is too many to give a senior-laden San Diego team that has had eight days off after the WCC tourney. That will help a Torreros group that has no depth at all.

Meanwhile, Memphis comes off an emotional run in its home arena in the AAC Tournament, where it had a puncher's chance of making it to the big dance. There's a letdown factor here and this is a quick turnaround after three games in three days for a team that wants to play as fast as any in the nation.

San Diego ranks third nationally in opponent offensive rebounding percentage, which will be key against a Memphis team that thrives on the offensive glass.

San Diego's length should really bother the Tigers. Expect a big game out of Isaiah Pineiro as this one goes down to the wire. — Stuckey

The Pick: San Diego +7

Editor’s note: The opinions on these games are from the individual writer and are based on his research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.