LSU vs. Utah odds: Advanced computer model locks in strong 2018 NIT picks

It's the Pac-12 against the SEC in a NIT second-round matchup Monday as Utah hosts LSU at 9 p.m. ET. The 2-seed Utes (20-11) are favored by 4.5 over the 3-seed Tigers (18-14), up a full point since opening. The Over-Under, or total points Vegas believes will be scored, is 148.5.

Before you lock in your picks, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model is saying.

This model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, is hammering college hoops. It enters the week on a 13-4 streak on its college basketball picks, paying off big to those who have followed it.

Now it's focused on the NIT, breaking down key matchups for LSU-Utah and generating a spread pick that hits nearly 60 percent of the time. We can also tell you its Over-Under selection is a confident one as well, with the Under connecting on more than two-thirds of simulations.

The computer has taken into account the unique format of this year's NIT. The tournament is using four 10-minute quarters instead of two halves. The lane has also been made widened by four feet (like the NBA), the three-point line was extended 20 inches (similar to international rules) and the shot clock resets to 20 seconds after offensive rebounds instead of the usual 30.

Utah had a more eventful NIT opener than expected. The Utes trailed UC-Davis by 11 points and coach Larry Krystkowiak was tossed. But Utah rallied and pulled away late, holding the Aggies to a 1-of-11 shooting stretch in the second half. Justin Bibbins scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half.

LSU struggled on the glass in its heated NIT opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, allowing 21 offensive rebounds. But 6-11 senior Duop Reath did his part, going 10-of-14 shooting and finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds in the Tigers' 84-76 win. It was the first time in more than a month Reath led his team in scoring.

Each team has a leading scorer under six feet tall. LSU's Tremont Waters, a 5-11 freshman who had eight points and six assists against Lafayette, averages 15.8 ppg. Bibbins, a 5-8 senior, averages 14.8.

So what side should you take on LSU-Utah? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread is hitting almost 60 percent of the time, plus the confident Over-Under selection, from the computer model entering the week on 13-4 ATS college basketball run.