In rounds two through four of the NIT, underdogs are an astonishing 13-1 against the spread, plus 11-3 straight-up. Chattanooga has led the way by winning outright while receiving points in all four games. They’ve dropped one game dating back to Jan. 25. The Mocs have covered in two -thirds of their schedule. Irvine can flash similar numbers, though not quite as impressive, so let’s go with an amazing trend continuing at the finish line.

Something compels about the Movin’ Mocs, three times rallying from halftime deficits in the NIT. The player of this tourney to date has been UTC’s G Trey Bonham, scoring at a 23 ppg pace and making big shot after big shot, while fellow ex-VMI transfer PG Honor Huff has played all but one minute in the NIT and has scored at a near 20 ppg clip the past ten games. The perfect complement has turned out to be bruising 6-6 ex-Bellarmine G Bash Wieland (14.1 ppg) and his ability to drive the ball into the paint, forcing foes to play Hoff and (especially) Bonham more carefully. The Mocs’ recent pattern also includes a 12-4 over mark. Play UTC-UCI Over (NIT at Indianapolis).