Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/25/25

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 3/25/25

CBI SEMIFINAL

ILLINOIS STATE vs. INCARNATE WORD (ILLST -5.5, 148.5)

UNDER 148.5

The CBI doesn't really inspire many college basketball fans, but the players are surely happy about playing at this time of year. They're definitely fired up about being in Florida at this time of the year. Incarnate Word finished in the middle of the pack in the Southland Conference this season. The Cardinals wound are 19-16 overall. They beat Manhattan and Jacksonville to get to this semifinal.

Illinois State finished fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Redbirds are 20-14 overall. They had some quality wins this season. Illinois State beat UAB and Ohio before starting their conference season. The Redbirds also beat Bradley, which made the NIT, in mid-February.

Both teams prefer a slower pace. Illinois State ranks 313th in the nation in possessions per game. Incarnate Word is 323rd. Ten of the last 15 Incarnate Word games and 3 of the last 4 for Illinois State have gone Under the total. The only concern is an Incarnate Word team that is one of the best shooting teams in the nation. The Cardinals average 80 ppg despite playing at a relatively slower pace. Tonight, though, every possession matters, especially in the second half and that will slow down tonight's game.

NIT QUARTERFINAL

CHATTANOOGA @ BRADLEY (BRAD -3.5, 152.5)

CHATTANOOGA +3.5

Bradley lost to Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game. That sent the Braves to the NIT where, so far, they have beaten North Alabama and George Mason. The Braves are the best 3PT shooting team in the nation hitting over 40 percent from behind the arc. They shot 45 percent from three in the road win over George Mason.

Chattanooga was the Southern Conference regular season champion. The Mocs were upset in the conference tournament by Furman. That left Chattanooga out of the NCAA tournament. The Mocs are a quality basketball team though with an overall 24-9 record.

They are a top 60 team in 2PT, 3PT, and eFG shooting percentage. Chattanooga is also a top 60 scoring team averaging 79 points per game. The Mocs played well on the road this season. They went 11-4 SU and ATS in 15 true road games this season. I think they can keep this one close and cover.

Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.