KenPom Predicts WCC Tournament Matchup Between BYU and Portland

On Thursday night, Portland took down San Diego 92-74 to advance to the second round of the WCC tournament. The Pilots will take on BYU in the second round on Friday night. Industry leader in college basketball analytics Ken Pomeroy cemented his BYU-Portland prediction. KenPom gives BYU a 73% chance to win with an expected final score of 81-74.

ESPN BPI, the predictive tool used by ESPN, is more bullish on BYU's chances against Portland. BPI gives BYU a 77% chance to beat Portland.

KenPom's prediction matches the betting lines. As of this article, the spread for this game is BYU -6.5 with an over/under of 153.5. Meaning the implied projected score according to the oddsmakers is 80-73 in favor of BYU.

Updated 2023 WCC Men's Basketball Bracket

BYU entered the men's tournament as the fifth seed. The Cougars had a first-round bye while they awaited the result of Portland-San Diego. Portland used a second half surge to beat San Diego and advance to the second round. BYU-Portland will be broadcast on the WCC Network and on BYUtv. If BYU wins on Friday, it will take on LMU in the quarterfinals on Saturday night. That game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The second game of the men's tournament featured Pacific and Pepperdine. Pacific took care of business, holding a comfortable lead for most of the game. Pacific advances to take on San Francisco in the quarterfinals.

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