#VegasMadness betting blog: Poeltl puts Utah over the top in OT

A wild Friday night at the Pac-12 tournament was worth the price of admission. For media members, it was free, so that’s even better. When it was over, 7-footer Jakob Poeltl carried Utah to the championship game.

The Utes scored on a buzzer-beating layup to force overtime, and Poeltl led the way to an 82-78 win and cover against California at the MGM Grand Garden. He finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds, nearly unstoppable in the low post.

Utah closed as a 2½-point favorite. Tyrone Wallace missed a 3-point attempt to cover with two seconds remaining in OT.

Top-seeded Oregon is likely to be a small favorite in the title game.

Menzies, Aggies roll in WAC

Marvin Menzies is in the running to be the next UNLV basketball coach. He’s one of several candidates. But there’s no doubt he stands out in the Western Athletic Conference.

New Mexico State, a 10½-point favorite, rolled to a 78-64 victory over Missouri-Kansas City in a WAC tournament semifinal at Orleans Arena. Menzies will try to guide the Aggies to their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance on Saturday.

In the Pac-12, Oregon was on the verge of knocking out Arizona, but the Wildcats, who closed as 1-point favorites, made a furious rally to force overtime at 77-77.

San Diego State closed as an 8-point favorite in its 67-55 victory over UNR, and my Best Bet on the Wolf Pack was doomed by their dismal 3-point shooting (2-for-16).

The Aztecs advanced to the Mountain West final against the Colorado State-Fresno State winner. Rams coach Larry Eustachy is another candidate for the Rebels’ job.

Tipoff: There is no comparison between the two main conference tournament venues this week. If the atmosphere at the MGM Grand Garden is similar to a beach during Spring Break, the Thomas & Mack Center is a graveyard (and UNLV’s season finally is buried).

It will be a big night in the Pac-12. Arizona is a 1½-point favorite over top-seeded Oregon in the opener at 6:15 p.m. San Diego State, the No. 1 seed in the Mountain West, will get tested by UNR in the first semifinal at 6 p.m.

I might even stop by the Western Athletic Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. New Mexico State, a strong favorite in a weak league, is laying 10½ points to Missouri-Kansas City in the 6 p.m. opener.

Point-spread hijinks: The last two Pac-12 games Thursday featured last-second point-spread drama, and the decisions went against the underdogs.

Utah closed as a 6½-point favorite in its 80-72 victory over Southern California. The Utes busted open a tight game in the final two minutes. But the Trojans had a shot to cover before the buzzer, and UNLV transfer Katin Reinhardt misfired from 3-point range, of course.

The ending to Oregon State-California was ridiculous. The Golden Bears closed as 8-point favorites, but most bettors either were laying or taking 7 or 7½. After a made free throw by the Beavers put the margin on seven, an Oregon State player fouled for no apparent reason with one second remaining. Cal hit one free throw for a 76-68 win.

Best Bets in Vegas

(3-1 overall, 1-1 Thursday)

UNR (+7½) over San Diego State

With their NCAA Tournament hopes on the line this week, the Aztecs are playing under pressure. The underdog is loose and playing with nothing to lose. Freshman forward Cameron Oliver will be a key figure on both ends. He was dominant Thursday by totaling 26 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in the Wolf Pack’s upset of New Mexico. Oliver needs to score against Skylar Spencer in the paint, and discourage Winston Shepard and others from driving to the rim. UNR also needs senior guard Marqueze Coleman, who was hobbled Thursday, to produce something. This should be a grinding, low-scoring game.

Utah (-2) over California

The Utes are stronger in the paint, anchored by 7-foot Jakob Poeltl, and better defensively at most spots on the floor. Hot-shooting guards make the Bears dangerous, but defense and interior strength are more reliable factors on a neutral court. The Utes are 8-0 straight up and 6-2 against the spread since Feb. 10.

Other plays today: (5-3 overall, 2-2 Thursday) Massachusetts (+13) over VCU; Arizona (-2) over Oregon; Colorado State-Fresno State (Over 151); UC Santa Barbara (+3½) over Hawaii.

(This betting blog will be updated throughout the day.)

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247