NCAA Tournament First Four: Prairie View vs. Lehigh Odds, Predictions, Picks

The Prairie View A&M Panthers (18-7) meet the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (18-6) in an NCAA Tournament First Four game tonight in Dayton, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 6:40 p.m. ET on TruTV.

The winner will earn a spot in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and the chance to face No. 1 Florida. Lehigh is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 142.5 at DraftKings as of publication. 66% of the spread handle and 65% of tickets are on Lehigh.

Best Bet Prairie View vs. Lehigh: Against the Spread

Prairie View +3.5 (-112 at DraftKings)

Nasir Whitlock runs the Lehigh offense, and the junior guard leads the team in scoring with 21 ppg and assists with 3.4 apg. Inside, forward Hank Alvey gives Lehigh another solid scoring option. Alvey, who averages 15 ppg, also leads the team in rebounds (6.9 rpg).

Prairie View is riding a nine-game winning streak after winning the SWAC championship. The Panthers have a dynamic backcourt with guards Dontae Horne (20.2 ppg) and Tai’Reon Joseph (18.2 ppg) leading the way.

Prairie View A&M is on a remarkable run against the spread, going 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games. The Panthers are also 5-1 ATS in their last six games as an underdog.

This is a typical First Four matchup with evenly matched teams. Take the Panthers and the points.

Best Player Prop for Lehigh

Hank Alvey OVER 16.5 Points (-118 at FanDuel)

Alvey is a beast inside, and we expect him to eat tonight against Prairie View. He went off for 30 in a win against Colgate in the SWAC Tournament.

Alvey has also surged at the end of the season. He’s hit for 17+ points in seven of his last 11 games. Expect Prairie View to closely shadow Whitlock on the perimeter and prevent 3’s. Alvey should benefit from additional opportunities in the paint tonight.

Best Player Prop for Prairie View

Dontae Horn OVER 23.5 Points (-108 at FanDuel)

This number is appropriate, given that Horn averaged 24 points in four SWAC Tournament games. While he averages just a shade over 20 ppg on the year, this number is in reach given his elevated play in the postseason.

Consider pairing these player props at FanDuel, which offers +225 odds that Alvey and Horn both go OVER their point totals. A $50 bet will return a total payout of $162.50, including $112.50 in profit and your stake back.