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A pair of mid-major programs look to finish their Irish trip 2-0 when the Niagara Purple Eagles meet the Stetson Hatters on Saturday in the 2022 Dublin Basketball Challenge. The Hatters (3-0), who are off to their best start since 2000-01, have impressive wins over Florida State and South Florida already this season. The Purple Eagles (1-2), meanwhile, got into the win column on Friday with a 73-64 triumph over Central Arkansas. This will be the first time the teams have met.

The game from the National Basketball Arena at Tallaght Sports Complex in Dublin, Ireland tips off at noon ET. Niagara averages 57.3 points per game, while Stetson averages 76.3. The Hatters are 3.5-point favorites in the latest Niagara vs. Stetson odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 128. Before making any Stetson vs. Niagara picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. 

Now, the model has set its sights on Stetson vs. Niagara and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Niagara vs. Stetson:

  • Niagara vs. Stetson spread: Stetson -3.5
  • Niagara vs. Stetson over/under: 128 points
  • Niagara vs. Stetson money line: Stetson -170, Niagara +145
  • NIAG: The Purple Eagles are 10-4-1 against the spread in their last 15 games against a team with a winning % above .600
  • STET: The Hatters are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall
  • Niagara vs. Stetson picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Stetson can cover 

Sophomore guard Alvin Tumblin scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in 18 minutes against Rider on Friday. For the season, Tumblin is averaging 10.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Last year, Tumblin played in 25 games, making 16 starts. He totaled 509 minutes, averaging 6.3 points per game and connected on 65 of 124 shots for 52.4% from the floor.

Senior Wheza Panzo played 27 minutes against Rider, pouring in 15 points, while grabbing five rebounds, connecting on 71.4% of his shots from the floor, including 83.3% from 3-point range. Panzo has reached double figures in two games in 2022-23, including a 12-point performance at Florida State on Nov. 7. He played in all 30 games last season, starting in one, averaging four points per game. Panzo scored a career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers, against Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 29.

Why Niagara can cover

Junior guard Braxton Bayless is averaging 11.7 points, six rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals per game. He tied a season-high with 14 points in Friday's win over Central Arkansas. He had a 14-point, six-rebound and six-assist performance at Maryland on Nov. 7 in the season opener. Bayless helped lead Indian Hills Community College to a 27-6 record in 2021-22 and to a 53-11 mark in his two years there. He averaged nine points, 4.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game last year, playing in 32 games and starting in 23.

Also powering Niagara is senior guard Noah Thomasson, who is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He scored 29 points against Central Arkansas on Friday. Last season, Thomasson played in 30 games, starting 29, and averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. His season-high last year was a 27-point effort against Marist on March 5.

How to make Niagara vs. Stetson picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 137 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the picks here.

So who wins Stetson vs. Niagara? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.