Indiana vs. Wyoming: First Four Game Odds & Preview (2022 March Madness)

Mar 14, 2022 - 1:42 PM

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Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wyoming Cowboys

• Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2022
• Start Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
• Location: University of Dayton Arena — Dayton, OH
• Coverage: truTV
• Last Meeting: December 18, 1999— Indiana defeated Wyoming 99-80 in Bloomington.

Indiana vs. Wyoming Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

• Moneyline: IND: (-170) | WYO: (+150)
• Point Spread: IND: -4 (-110) | WYO: +4 (-110)
• Total: 132 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

Betting Trends

• Indiana 2021-22 Betting Trends: 16-14 ATS; 14-16 to the Over
• Wyoming 2022-22 Betting Trends: 16-11-3 ATS; 150-15 to the Over
• Wyoming is 8-4 ATS as an underdog
• First Four games between No. 12 seeds have gone under the full game total 66.7% of the time (2-1, average total 125.7).
• The underdogs have the better record against the spread, going 2-1 ATS (66.7% cover rate, average spread +4.0).

Overview

One caveat of the NCAA Tournament is that it always creates unique matchups, and we are getting one right away here in the First Four. This will be just the fourth meeting all-time between Indiana and Wyoming. Each of these programs will come into this matchup with a bit of momentum, as they both made runs in their respective conference tournaments. In fact, the Hoosiers were a last-second three-pointer away from being in the Big Ten conference tournament championship game. On the other side, the Cowboys came up short in their championship rubber match with Boise State. Each team should come into this matchup with renewed optimism and will battle for a spot in the round of 64. Now, all that is left to do is figure out who will be advancing.

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Indiana Hoosiers Betting Preview

When you look at the Hoosiers, you circle one man, Trayce Jackson-Davis. Jackson-Davis had a phenomenal year for the Hoosiers, as he averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game. He was also a significant factor in the Hoosiers’ solid defensive numbers, as he was 42nd in the country in block percentage. Aside from Jackson-Davis, the only other consistent source of offense for Indiana has been Xavier Johnson. The junior guard stepped it up in the conference tournament, scoring above his season average of 12.3 points in each game. Going into this matchup, I expect Johnson to continue to play a more prominent role, as the Cowboys have the size to match up with Jackson-Davis down low.

While the Cowboys may be fine on the defensive end of the floor, they may have their fair share of struggles on the offensive end. Indiana is one of the better defensive teams in the county. They are 21st in adjusted defensive efficiency and seventh in two-point percentage allowed. Regardless, if their offense struggles in this one, the Hoosiers’ defense will allow them to stay in this game.

Wyoming Cowboys Betting Preview

The darlings of the Mountain West Conference are in the tournament for the first time since 2015, as they come off a season in which they tallied 25 wins, the most for the program since 1952. Wyoming is a well-rounded team with a lot of athletic size and length that makes them difficult to deal with on both ends of the floor. That is best exemplified with their one-two punch of Graham Ike and Hunter Maldonado. The duo combined to average 28 points per game and 15 rebounds. Maldonado is also a skilled facilitator who averages better than six assists per game.

As I touched on in the Hoosiers’ section, Wyoming is an excellent defensive team that will have the size and length to contain Trayce Jackson-Davis. Indiana may also struggle if they kick it out, as the Cowboys are 32nd in three-point percentage allowed and 51st in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Indiana Hoosiers vs.  Wyoming Cowboys Betting Pick and Prediction

This matchup will be decided by how much of an impact Trayce Jackson-Davis is able to make. The Hoosiers are heavily reliant on him to score and grab offensive rebounds, which Wyoming does not allow many of. I fully expect Wyoming to make someone else try to beat them in the matchup, and I’m not sure that anyone can. However, Wyoming is the better offensive team and will be able to use their size inside to get high-percentage shots and potentially cause foul trouble for Indiana.

Indiana may have the momentum heading into this matchup, but this Wyoming team can’t be underestimated, as they have all the tools here to keep this game tight, if not advance.

Pick: Wyoming +4 (-110 at DraftKings)

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