I understand why Fresno State is such a large favorite here. The Bulldogs are an elite defensive team, playing at home and going against a Big Sky Conference opponent.

But that doesn't mean this point spread is right.

Southern Utah is on a roll having fun and enjoying one of its finest seasons with a 23-11 mark. The Thunderbirds have been sizzling in reaching the semifinals of The Basketball Classic by averaging 80.6 points in posting victories against Kent State, UTEP and Portland. The Thunderbirds are 89-for-161 from the floor in the tournament shooting 55.2 percent from the field.

The Thunderbirds averaged 78.8 points during the regular season, 26th-best in the country and 13 points more per game than Fresno State.

The Bulldogs are one of the top defensive teams in the country. But they haven't demonstrated that during the tournament giving up 71 and 74 points during their last two games after holding foes to an average of 58.4 points entering this tournament.

Fresno State hasn't been playing that well going 5-7 in its last 12 games. The Bulldogs are 0-6 ATS the past six times as a home favorite and 2-9 ATS the last 11 times when facing an above .500 opponent.