Arizona State and Nebraska will meet in the first inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament.
These two teams are coming into the tournament with very different mindsets, and my Nebraska vs. Arizona State predictions expect that to favor the Cornhuskers.
Read on for my college basketball picks for Monday, March 31.
Who will win Nebraska vs Arizona State?
The two tones of these programs about playing this game were profoundly different. Arizona State has players hitting the portal and seven scholarship players available, with Bobby Hurley admitting they haven't been able to practice much.
Meanwhile, Nebraska is primarily healthy, but more importantly, Brice Williams and Juwan Gary are fully invested based on their pregame messaging. I'll take a more talented team that seems much more bought in.
Nebraska vs Arizona State prediction
My best bet: Nebraska team total Over 80.5 (-110 at bet365)
My strongest conviction about this tournament is plenty of points will be scored in the first round.
You've got teams missing parts, teams with players that have gone on vacation and then come back, and coaches that have spent more time recruiting than game prep.
That's all conducive to an environment of something like an NBA All-Star game more so than a tournament game with NIL money at stake — at least early. Once the 300K prize becomes more of a reality (so, basically, the next round) and teams advance in the tournament, I expect the games to get a little more tightly played, but until then, I'll back points.
The market has reflected this belief, and these totals are being steamed up across the board. This one is no different. The total opened at 151.5, now around 156 at the time of writing. I agree with the movement but see more value in isolating the team total.
Jayden Quaintance being out for this game with a lower-body issue is a profound loss for the Arizona State defense. The on/off splits for the Sun Devils without him on the floor tell the story.
With Quaintance on the floor this season, Arizona State's defense was poor, allowing 1.01 points per possession. Without him off the floor, though? That number went to 1.19. To put that into perspective, the defense that finished 363rd nationally was Bellarmine, which allowed 1.18. To me, that's enough to play this.
When you factor in Nebraska being a potent rim-scoring offense with .99 points per possession on rim runs and 1.19 on bigs cutting to the basket — mainly through Juwan Gary — then I love it anymore.
Quaintance was a strong factor at the rim, and it's hard to see any other player replacing his impact. My projection of around 71 possessions certainly helps our cause, too. Take Nebraska to rack up the points.
Nebraska vs Arizona State same-game parlay (SGP)
Nebraska team total Over 80.5
Race to 20: Nebraska
Nebraska moneyline
With limited options in the prop market, I'm all in on the Cornhuskers on my same-game parlay.
I expect Nebraska to have a considerable edge in this game because it has more overall talent and has certainly at least given the impression it'd much rather be here than its opponent.
However, even if I underestimated Arizona State's motivation, Nebraska has many more of its core pieces around for this matchup. That will lead it to a strong start (scoring 20 points first) and eventually a win.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nebraska vs Arizona State odds
Nebraska vs Arizona State live odds
Nebraska vs Arizona State opening odds
- Spread: Nebraska -6.5 | Arizona State +6.5
- Moneyline: Nebraska -275 | Arizona State +220
- Over/Under: Over 151.5 | Under 151.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nebraska vs Arizona State betting trend to know
Arizona State has hit the 1H game total Over in nine of their last 11 games (+6.75 Units / 53% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Nebraska vs. Arizona State.
How to watch Nebraska vs Arizona State
| Location | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date | Monday, 3-31-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Nebraska vs Arizona State key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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