Dayton vs. Nevada Odds, Opening Spread, Predictions for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Dayton vs. Nevada Odds

The 2024 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Dayton will take on Nevada in Round 1 of the West region. Here's everything you need to know about Dayton vs. Nevada odds, spread and more.

Nevada opened as a 1.5-point favorite over Dayton in the first round off the NCAA Tournament despite being the lower seed here.The total is set at over/under 138.5 points scored by both teams combined.

Find out how No. 7-seeded Dayton and No. 10-seeded Nevada matchup statistically ahead of their opening round matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Daytona vs. Nevada Analysis

Look for a slow-paced slog in this opening-round battle in Salt Lake City.

Both teams rank outside the top 200 in adjusted tempo, per KenPom, with Dayton settling down in the depths at 337th. Neither looks to push in transition frequently.

For Dayton, that’s especially exacerbated by a lack of depth.

With starting point guard Malachi Smith out for the season since November, the Flyers essentially go six deep, relying heavily on a few key scorers and playing through DaRon Holmes II in the post.

That could be difficult against Nevada’s jumbo lineup.

The Wolf Pack play a supersized backcourt with 6-foot-6 Kenan Blackshear at point guard, and center K.J. Hymes is a fantastic individual defender with the foot speed to track Holmes to the perimeter.

The concern here is Nevada’s compact defensive shell against Dayton’s 3-point shooting. Steve Alford’s defense ranks 299th nationally in 3-point rate allowed, and Dayton ranks third in 3-point percentage. Alford’s scouting report should emphasize running foes off the line, but that’s outside the typical stylistic footprint.

Still, between the likely half-court pace and the size of Nevada, I expect a lower-scoring game.

The Pick: Under 138.5

–Jim Root

For more coverage of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.