First-round NIT action continues Wednesday, and I'll stay in my home region for this one. San Francisco hosts Utah Valley in one of the late games, and I think the home team looks very, very tough.

The Dons went 24-9 this year in a pretty tough conference anchored by Saint Mary's and Gonzaga. Of their nine losses, six were to NCAA Tournament teams, two came to NIT teams, and only one came at home. Guards Malik Thomas and Marcus Williams combine to average more than 34 points per game, and the USF defense is a strong one. KenPom ranks them just outside of the top 50 nationally in efficiency.

Utah Valley, meanwhile, just seems like a weaker version of San Francisco across the board. They employ a similar defense-first philosophy, but while USF's offense is still in the top 100 nationally (per KenPom), the Wolverines are 178th. Their 90th-ranked defense, combined with a weak WAC, spurred them to 25 wins, but the only NCAA Tournament team they played all year was Grand Canyon. Utah Valley did beat the Lopes at home, but fell both on the road and at a neutral site in the WAC Tournament.

Put all of that together, and I don't think the Wolverines get comfortable against a team that plays exceptionally well at home. Take the Dons and give the points.