Skip to main content

Butler vs. Boise State Prediction Tonight: Best College Basketball Crown Odds, Picks & Preview

Mike Spector

Last Updated: April 2, 2025 4:15 PM EDT • 3 min 20 sec read.

Butler vs. Boise State Prediction Tonight: Best College Basketball Crown Odds, Picks & Preview
Pictured: Butler Bulldogs forward Jahmyl Telfort (11) controls the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Aaron Scott (0). Photo by Brad Penner via Imagn Images.

After both teams lit up the scoreboard in high-scoring first-round victories, the Butler Bulldogs (15-19) and Boise State Broncos (25-20) meet in the second round of the College Basketball Crown tonight. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (FS1) from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The Broncos are 5.5-point betting favorites, and our Butler vs. Boise State prediction, odds, and preview analyzes why that spread is too low after their impressive 30-point opening round victory.

🏀 Butler vs. Boise State prediction & picks: College Basketball Crown

Here are my best Butler vs. Boise State predictions for the College Basketball Crown; use our parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay:

✅ Against the spread pick: Boise State -5.5 (-105 via ESPN BET) vs. Butler ⭐⭐
🔥 Over/Under bet: Under 154.5 (-105 via ESPN BET) ⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Exact score prediction: Boise State 78, Butler 70

👉 Want more picks? Check out our latest college basketball picks and the rest of our March Madness predictions.

Sbr Ncaab Final Weekend Challenge Lobby

🏆 Best Butler vs. Boise State pick & score prediction

Our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds for any March Madness market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

✅ Boise State to cover the spread: -5.5 ⭐⭐

Butler impressively scored 86 points and scored 1.16 points per possession in Tuesday’s win over Utah, despite being without leading scorer Jahmyl Telfort (16 points per game). 

However, I am not putting much stock in a win against a Utes team that was playing under interim coach Josh Eilert, even if its roster was mostly intact with its top five leading scorers.

Boise State has a huge edge on the backboards, as it was the Mountain West’s best offensive and defensive rebounding team. And this is the game where not having Telfort will eventually catch up to the Bulldogs, as the Broncos handle dribble penetration well.

📊 Best odds: -105 via ESPN BET ($10 to win $9.52)

🔥 Over/Under bet: Under 154.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Neither offense in the opening round looked rusty after a multi-week layoff, as the Bulldogs and Broncos each scored 86-plus points. However, I walked away more impressed with Boise State’s defense, which held a George Washington team that ranked in the 98th percentile in rim rate (per Synergy) to just 22 2-point field goal attempts.

Meanwhile, the Broncos entered Tuesday ranked in the 95th percentile in catch-and-shoot rate, but were in the bottom-fifth of all D-I teams in catch-and-shoot efficiency. 

The Under was 8-5-1 after Butler’s wins, and was a combined 5-0 in these teams’ five conference tournament games with limited prep, which is why I’m making the Under a confident three-star play. 

📊 Best odds: -105 via ESPN BET ($10 to win $9.52)

🎯 Score prediction: Boise State 78, Butler 70

Boise State had the shortest odds (+390 via DraftKings) of any team to win the College Basketball Crown before the tournament started. And KenPom predicts a 76-72 Broncos win, which would stay well under the projected total. That’s why I’m predicting a final score of Boise State 78, Butler 70.

📊 Best odds: OFF

🤖 Butler vs. Boise State AI prediction

For entertainment purposes, we asked ChatGPT to analyze college basketball stats and trends before predicting the winner and exact score for Butler vs. Boise State. Our AI prediction projects a final score of Butler 72, Boise State 68.

🖥️ AI score prediction: Butler 72, Boise State 68

  • Butler’s Strong Defense: Butler’s ability to disrupt Boise State’s offense could be a key factor in limiting scoring opportunities.
  • Boise State’s Offensive Balance: Boise State excels in spreading the floor and creating efficient scoring opportunities.
  • Tournament Experience: While Butler may have the edge in big-game experience, Boise State has been a strong contender in recent tournaments and won't be intimidated.

🤔 Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean Butler covering the spread (+4.5) and a total of Under 154.5 points. ChatGPT is not a dedicated sports betting model, but it can identify data that college basketball bettors might overlook.

📊 Butler vs. Boise State odds

Follow the latest live college basketball odds and real-time college basketball scores. Odds via bet365 at 9 a.m. ET.

  • Spread: Butler +7 (-110) | Boise State -7 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Butler +250 | Boise State -310
  • Over/Under: Over 154.5 (-110) | Under 154.5 (-110)

🔢 Butler vs. Boise State opening odds

  • Spread: Butler +5.5 (-115) | Boise State -5.5 (-105)
  • Moneyline: Butler +200 | Boise State -240
  • Over/Under: Over 154.5 (-115) | Under 154.5 (-105)

📺 How to watch Butler vs. Boise State: College Basketball Crown

📅 Date: Wednesday, April 2
🕗 Time: 7 p.m. ET
📍 Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas)
📺 TV: FS1
💻 Streaming: FOX Sports App

💰 March Madness betting odds pages

March Madness oddsMarch Madness MVP odds
Women's March Madness oddsMarch Madness MVP predictions
Final Four oddsMarch Madness prop bets

👑 Best March Madness betting sites

Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”