Nevada vs. TCU Prediction: Can Kenan Blackshear, Wolfpack Upset Horned Frogs in High-Scoring Duel?
The Nevada Wolfpack will square off with the TCU Horned Frogs on Friday evening in a non-conference matchup. Can Kenan Blackshear find success for the Wolfpack in what figures to be a high-scoring battle? Krabs provides several of his best bets in this Nevada vs. TCU showdown.
Krabs - December 22, 2023, 3:59 PM EST
5 minNevada vs. TCU Prediction: Can Kenan Blackshear, Wolfpack Upset Horned Frogs in High-Scoring Duel?
One of the best college basketball games of this loaded Friday slate kicks off nice and early in Honolulu, Hawaii between Nevada and TCU. There are a couple plays in this game that I can’t stop thinking about…
Nevada vs. TCU Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 22, 2023
- Game Time: 5:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Nevada vs. TCU Odds
- Spread: Nevada +3.5 (-108), TCU -3.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: O 150.5 (-109), U 150.5 (-108)
- Moneyline Odds: Nevada (+135), TCU (-160)
Nevada vs. TCU Prediction
These two teams are built very similarly, but TCU likes to push the pace, and Nevada does not. Luckily for the Wolfpack, they have the guard-play to keep up with TCU’s fast-paced backcourt. Nevada might average the 166th-most possessions per game compared to TCU who ranks in the top-15, but Jarod Lucas and Keenan Blackshear can keep up with the Horned Frogs.
This total opened up at 149 before getting steamed up to 150.5 on most books. I’m willing to bet this game will look eerily similar to the TCU vs ODU game yesterday. ODU struggled to contain this quick-tempo offense, but the Horned Frogs couldn’t slow down ODU’s backcourt. Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear might struggle at times containing Jameer Nelson, but they will surely be able to keep up offensively.
The Horned Frogs are getting pelted with bets in this late-afternoon game. More than 80% of bets and handle are currently backing TCU on the spread, moving this line up to TCU -3.5. With Nevada now getting more than a basket on a neutral court, I’m comfortable backing the Wolfpack on the spread. This is one of the most underrated mid-majors in the country, fully capable of handing TCU their second loss of the season. Fade the public, and back the Wolfpack to keep this game within a bucket.
If Nevada is going to cover tonight and this game is soaring over, Kenan Blackshear is going to have to take over this game. Luckily, the Frogs pressure and high-tempo offense will likely result in more drives from Blackshear tonight. He is one of the primary ball-handlers on this team, and with the recent successes from guards driving to the rim and getting to the free throw line against the Horned Frogs, Blackshear fits that role perfectly. All of TCU’s recent opponents (ODU, ASU, CLEM, GTOWN) had a leading scorer at the guard position who didn’t shoot many threes, and found success at the rim and free throw line, which is Blackshear’s bread and butter.
The 6’6” senior from Orlando is coming off an extremely efficient 16-point performance against Temple yesterday. Look for Blackshear, not Lucas, to be leading Nevada to a cover/outright win with 15+ points. Blackshear’s ball-handling and driving will be the key to Nevada’s success in this game.
Nevada Wolfpack vs. TCU Horned Frogs Picks
- NEV/TCU o150.5 (-110)
- NEV +3.5 (-115)
- Kenan Blackshear o14.5 Points (-110)
College Basketball Odds
