This game will be a lower scoring grinder of a game as Wagner is better at defense and will struggle to put up some offense on Howard. Wagner struggles at the free throw line and gets fewer than 11 chances on average or less per game which helps in keeping the score under. Wagner is 357th in the nation in points per game. The first half of NCAA tournament games, traditionally, have gone under the total at least 58% of the time. Wagner will try to slow the pace down and this will help the score stay under in the first half, as both will try to feel each other out and both will miss some of their shots as expected due to the nerves and jitters of playing in an unfamiliar venue, so it will make players more cautious to get the right look, holding onto the ball longer, thus blowing time of the clock.

The total has gone Under in 6 of Wagner's last 6 games. The total has gone Under in 8 of Wagner's last 8 games played in March. Wagner are 26-12 to the Under since 1997 after allowing 60 points or less.

Best bet: take the first half Under the Total.