NIT: North Texas vs. UAB odds, picks and predictions

The North Texas Mean Green (30-7, 17-5 C-USA) and UAB Blazers (29-9, 16-7) meet Thursday in the NIT Championship. Tip from Orleans Arena in Las Vegas is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+). Let's analyze Tipico Sportsbook's lines around the North Texas vs. UABodds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

First, Charlotte won the CBI Tournament. Then, FAU won 4 straight games in the NCAA Tournament to make the Final 4 this weekend in Houston. Now, North Texas and UAB meet in the NIT title game. It's been a heck of a postseason for Conference USA, and it's a guarantee someone from the league will win the NIT.

This is actually the 4th time these teams have met this season. North Texas won 63-52 in Birmingham as a 3-point underdog as the Under cashed on Jan. 21. The Mean Green won 82-79 in overtime in Denton as a 2.5-point favorite as the Over connected.

The teams also met in the Conference USA semifinals, and the third time was the charm for UAB. The Blazers won 76-69 as a 2-point favorite as the Over connected.

Since getting drummed by the aforementioned FAU in the C-USA championship game, UAB has rattled off 4 straight wins, while covering 3 of those outings. The last time out, an 88-86 OT win over Utah Valley, was the non-cover as the Over (151.5) cashed.

Since UNT's loss to UAB in the C-USA semifinals, it has also ripped off 4 straight wins, while covering the last 3 outings. Defense has been tremendous for the Mean Green, allowing just 55.3 PPG in the past 4 games.

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