Defense often goes out the window in non-NCAA tournaments. Arlington’s opening game generated 194 points, 37.5 above the total. Akron’s exceeded the number by 9.5, with 153 scored. The homestanding Mavericks averaged 78 per game prior to the NIT, one more point than the Zips, who have hurdled the Over in six of the past eight away outings. An old-fashioned Texas shootout awaits.

This should be a fast-paced, entertaining game in the NIT. In my simulations, the Zips are covering 63 percent of the time. Grab the points with an Akron team that won the MAC regular-season title.