The set-up: The 9-11 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will host the 5-13 UTEP Miners on Thursday action. Despite UTEP's poor overall record, the Miners are 3-3 in league play, while the Hilltoppers check in at 3-4.
UTEP: The Miners come in on a three-game winning streak (all in league games). Guard Omega Harris leads Miners averaging 17.5 PPG and is joined in teh backcourt by Dominic Artis, who is averaging 14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. The 7-1 Matt Willms adds 10.0 & 5.3 and the Paul Thomas, 7.1 & 6.1. UTEP's three-game winning streak has come at home, winning back-to-back one-point OT games, before routing UTSA 59-39, as the Roadrunners shot 24.1 percent, including 2 of 22 on threes. Good defense or just poor shooting?

Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers are led by Johnson & Johnson (not related). Guard Que Johnson leads the Hilltoppers averaging 14.7 PPG (adds 5.1 RPG), while the 6-7 Justin Johnson is averaging 13.4 PPG and a team-best 8.1 RPG. Guard Pancake Thomas is the team's third double digit scorer at 13.0 PPG. Western Kentucky is 6-1 at home but that 3-4 C-USA record is troubling.

The pick: Yes, UTEP is 0-5 SU on the road but note that Western Ky is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite this year. UTEP's Tim Floyd is a proven coach and his Miners have won an average of 21.3 games the last three seasons. The team is starting to get its act together and against this quality of opponent, UTEP plus the points is the play (8*).