Wright State vs Butler Betting Odds – No New Horizons

In the realm of Horizon League basketball, the sports betting calculus rarely if ever changes. Heading into Tuesday night’s championship game of the Horizon League Tournament, there’s very little reason to change things up.

• What: NCAA basketball betting
• When: Tuesday, March 9th, 9:05 PM ET
• Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
• strong>Key Stat Butler is 19-0 in Horizon League games this season.

The Storyline – Wright State vs Butler betting odds breakdown
Sportsbook odds are sometimes shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, but that can’t be the case when the Wright State Raiders contest the Horizon League championship on BU’s home court in Indianapolis. While it’s true that Butler’s most recent conference loss came in the finals of last year’s Horizon League Tournament, a little perspective is in order. The Cleveland State club that took down coach Brad Stevens’ Bulldogs 12 months ago was not your normal second-place team from a mid-major league. Those Vikings – after vanquishing BU to snatch the Horizon’s automatic bid – promptly strolled into the NCAA Tournament and, as a No. 13 seed, spanked fourth-rated Wake Forest in the first round. Yes, another Horizon League team – not Butler – pulled off an upset against a power-conference foe and injected a bit of magic into the Big Dance.

This year, the verdict on the Horizon League is that it doesn’t compare to last season. The Wright State team that finished the season in second place – with a 12-6 conference mark – is not on par with the 2009 Cleveland State crew. While it’s true that coach Brad Brownell’s Raiders have done well to get within one victory of the NCAA Tournament, it’s hard to see how WSU will be able to bounce Butler in the Bulldogs’ own lair.

For one thing, Wright State lacks a single quality win on its resume. The Raiders played a light non-conference schedule and could not beat a so-so Ohio team (from the Mid-American Conference) in the BracketBusters event on Feb. 20. While Butler – a national program that plays a national schedule against elite teams – challenges itself in November and December, Wright State did not. Therefore, BU’s record is – if anything – deceptively modest, while WSU’s overall statistics are clearly overstated.

The matchups don’t lie, either: In two regular-season meetings between these teams, Butler won twice, and by the same margin as well. On Jan. 8, BU went to Dayton, Ohio, and whipped Wright State by a 77-65 score. A month later, on Feb. 6, Butler posted another 12-point triumph against the Raiders, cruising to a 74-62 win in Indianapolis. As these teams reunite on the Hinkle Fieldhouse floor, a Wright State side that relies on the long ball for much of its scoring production (the Raiders have hit 238 threes on the season, good for an average of eight per game when rounded to the closest non-fractional number) will have to shoot the lights out just to stay close.
Offensive Matchups – Wright State vs Butler betting odds breakdown

The Raiders average 68.3 points per game, while Butler averages 70.1 points per game. However, those are season-long numbers. In terms of conference games alone, Wright’s average sinks to 66.3 and Butler’s average rises to 72 even. Why is this the case? Because Butler plays big-time teams out of conference, making the Horizon League seem like child’s play. There’s a reason Butler has won all 19 of its league games this season. BU is balanced and diversified at the offensive end of the floor.

Betting Edge: Butler

Defensive Matchups – Wright State vs Butler betting odds breakdown

Wright State gives up 60.6 points per contest, while Butler checks in at 60.5. Yet, once again, the overall numbers change when limited to a conference-only comparison. Within the Horizon League, WSU allows 60.7 points per game, while Butler concedes just 58.8. The Bulldogs are hard-working, athletic and smart – they gain good defensive positioning and know how to block out on the glass. The Bulldogs’ help defense is outstanding, and their consistency affirms just how committed they are at the defensive end of the floor. Wright State is quite solid, but Butler is even better when it comes to shutting down opponents.

Betting Edge: Butler

Notable Injuries – Wright State vs Butler betting odds breakdown

Butler’s Willie Veasley missed a few games due to an injury he suffered in Feburary, but the valuable small forward played a typical 35 minutes on Saturday in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals against Milwaukee. Both teams will not be affected by the infirmary.

Betting Edge: Even

Betting Prediction –Wright State vs Butler betting odds breakdown

Butler’s won all 19 league games this season. There’s no reason to think the Bulldogs won’t notch number 20 on Tuesday.

Washington’s Pick: Butler

For more sports online betting tips and articles, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge daily.