Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs UTEP Miners Prediction, 1/28/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs UTEP Miners

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Location: Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX

TV: ESPN+

Don Haskins Center is the location where the UTEP Miners (7-13) will attempt to beat the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (11-8) on Wednesday.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs played Kennesaw State and took home the win by a score of 82-76 in their last game. Louisiana Tech finished the game having earned a 52.7% FG percentage (29 out of 55) and buried 8 of their 16 shots from beyond the arc. From the charity stripe, the Bulldogs knocked down 16 of 24 shots for a rate of 66.7%. In relation to grabbing boards, they earned a total of 30 with 7 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 10 dimes in this matchup as well as forcing the other team into 7 turnovers and getting 5 steals. In reference to the defense, Louisiana Tech allowed their opponent to shoot 43.4% from the floor on 23 out of 53 shooting. Kennesaw State distributed 12 assists and had 7 steals in this game. On top of that, Kennesaw State grabbed 26 rebounds (11 offensive, 15 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Kennesaw State walked away from this one shooting 69.7% when shooting free throws by knocking down 23 of 33 tries. They converted 7 of their 20 tries from distance. When it comes to fouls, the Bulldogs walked away with 20 while Kennesaw State recorded 18 fouls.

Scooter Williams Jr. is a guy who played a role in this matchup. He accumulated 28 points on 10 of 19 shooting. He saw the court for 31 minutes and totaled 4 rebounds. He finished the contest at 52.6% from the floor but had no assists when the time ran out.

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Louisiana Tech comes into this one with a win-loss record of 11-8 this year. They are turning it over 11.5 times per contest and as a unit are committing 15.9 fouls on a nightly basis. As a unit, Louisiana Tech is collecting 39.5 rebounds per contest and has accounted for 228 assists on the season, which is 339th in the nation in terms of passing. The Bulldogs are hitting 30.0% on shots from downtown (107 of 357) and 64.2% from the charity stripe. They are averaging 68.4 points per contest (329th in college) while going 43.8% from the field.

When they are on the defensive end, the Bulldogs are forcing their opponents into 12.0 turnovers per game while drawing 16.5 personal fouls. They are conceding 30.3% on 3-point attempts and they are 2nd in the nation in points per game allowed (61.3). The Bulldogs defensively are giving up a FG percentage of 38.1% (393 of 1,032) and they surrender 33.1 boards per game as a team. They are ranked 33rd in college hoops in giving up assists to the opposition with 223 conceded this season.

In their last game, the UTEP Miners walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 62-57 when they played Missouri State. The Miners pulled down 22 defensive boards and 1 offensive boards for a total of 23 in this game. They turned the ball over 10 times, while getting 8 steals in this game. Missouri State was called for 16 personal fouls for this game which got the Miners to the charity stripe for a total of 15 attempts. They were able to convert 11 of those for a rate of 73.3%. When talking about 3-point attempts, UTEP made 8 of their 19 tries (42.1%). When the final whistle blew, the Miners finished 19 for 50 from the floor which gave them a rate of 38.0%. The Miners allowed Missouri State to bury 20 of their 45 attempts from the floor which had them sitting at 44.4% for the contest. They finished 27.8% from three-point range by hitting 5 of 18 and finished the contest at 17 out of 23 at the free throw line (73.9%). With respect to cleaning up the glass, UTEP permitted Missouri State to collect 34 in all (5 on the offensive glass).

Elijah Jones was important for the Miners for this contest. He accumulated 16 points in his 36 minutes on the hardwood, but didn't record an assist. He knocked down 5 of 11 for the game giving him a rate of 45.5%, and added 6 rebounds.

UTEP has a record of 7-13 on the campaign. As an offensive team, the Miners are shooting 43.6% from the floor, which ranks them 281st in college. UTEP has scored 1,396 pts so far this year (69.8 per contest) and they grab 32.3 boards per game. They are getting an assist 12.7 times per contest (283rd in the country) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 12.3 times per contest. The Miners are committing 19.0 fouls per contest and they go 67.6% from the charity stripe.

The UTEP defense gives up 35.3% on 3-point shots (139 of 394) and opponents are knocking down 69.4% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have given up 12.9 assists and 35.1 rebounds every game, which ranks them 145th and 214th in those defensive categories. The Miners defensively are ranked 146th in D-1 in PPG allowed with 72.5. They are forcing 13.3 turnovers on a nightly basis and have let teams shoot 45.8% from the floor (285th in Division 1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Louisiana Tech

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