My action binoculars are beaming westward for tonight’s college basketball slate, and I’ve got a few player prop bets I think might be best for your collection of slips on Friday. I already wrote up how I’m playing the UNLV vs. New Mexico and Colorado State vs. Boise State games in the Mountain West tonight, and I’ve got a player prop bet from each I think we should back as well, and especially if you’re not interested in tailing a side. Studs like Donovan Dent, Jalen Lake, Tyson Degenhart, and more are all set to show out in Mountain Standard Time.
Here are my favorite player prop plays from the marquee Mountain West clashes tonight.
Best prop bets for UNLV vs. New Mexico and Colorado State vs. Boise State
Tyson Degenhart 18+ points (+110)
It hasn’t been a perfect strategy, but it’s sure been lucrative: back the senior star player on Senior Night at home to outpace his point total, and good things will happen. I’d be a sucker if I leaned all the way into using that as my soft analysis here, but I do believe the contextual spirit of this game is worth noting. Here’s my quote on its stakes from my article on which side I like:
That’s just the story of the stats. We haven’t even gotten into the stakes: tonight’s clash at ExtraMile Arena could reshape the postseason path for both Boise State and Colorado State. For the Broncos, the mission is straightforward—win and secure the Mountain West’s two-seed. A result that would likely cement their fourth straight NCAA At-Large bid. A loss, however, could send them tumbling to the five-seed, making their road to March Madness far more treacherous.
The stakes are just as high for CSU. The Rams, sitting 26th in NET and 34th in KenPom, are clinging to the edge of the at-large conversation and need a marquee win to boost their résumé.
…
[It’s arguably] the most important game played at ExtraMile since Boise State cut down the nets (for the Mountain West title, of course) against Nevada in 2022.
Degenhart’s indeed the heartwood of this oaken-resolved Broncos team. He leads the Broncos with 15.6 points per game, while shooting a career-best 39.1% from three. His is a rare blend of toughness and touch that makes him a nightmare matchup. Expect Degenhart’s relentless motor and knack for rising in big moments to fuel a performance worthy of the occasion such that plus-money on the 18-point figure feels like fantastic value.
He did, after all, hang 27 on these Rams in Fort Collins when the Broncos lost 75-72.
Best bet: Tyson Degenhart 18+ points (+110)
Tail Degenhart to clear his point total on Senior Night with me on the DraftKings Sportsbook app here!
Tyson Degenhart 6+ rebounds (-120)
If you’re not interested in backing his points, seeing as they’re for plus-money and also quite a bit higher than his average per-game, may I interest you in Degenhart’s rebound market? Should the buckets not fall, I feel as if Degenhart’s going to have to assert his effort constructively and adjust to the gameplan. No matter which way this game goes, expect him to be clanging and banging on the boards.
The senior forward averages 6.0 rebounds per game and has been particularly tenacious in conference victories, securing 7 or more rebounds in seven of Boise State’s 11 Mountain West wins. Given that Colorado State allows opponents an average of 32.3 rebounds per game, Degenhart has a prime opportunity to assert his presence in the paint. Adding fuel to his fire, Degenhart will be seeking redemption after the Broncos’ narrow 75-72 loss to the Rams earlier this season likely inspiring an even more spirited performance on the glass.
Best bet: Tyson Degenhart 6+ rebounds (-120)
Tail Degenhart to be a monster on the glass tonight with me on the DraftKings Sportsbook app here!
Donovan Dent 22+ points (+100)
They’re really having us pay up from these senior stars playing at home from tonight, especially with regards to their scoring averages. But, fresh off a 33-point performance in a win against Nevada, I like him to potentially bury this number in the rearview against UNLV at home.
Donovan Dent just nothing short of a strong bet to eclipse 22 points tonight at The Pit. Averaging 20.4 points per game this season, he’s reached or exceeded the 22-point mark in 13 of 30 games, a solid 43.3% of the time. Dent has been particularly lethal in recent contests, including 25 points against Air Force and 23 points against Utah State, showing his ability to step up in big moments.
With UNLV allowing 69.6 points per game and struggling defensively at times, Dent will have plenty of opportunities to exploit their lapses and, with the added energy of senior night, should be poised for another standout performance. Which, by the way—the standout performances—have made him infinitely more interesting to NBA scouts. Even though he’s a junior, it’s not out of the question this would be his last home game at The Pit. A potential senior moment for one of the hottest scorers in the nation right now.
Best bet: Donovan Dent 22+ points (+100)
Tail Dent to rain buckets tonight at The Pit with me on the DraftKings Sportsbook app here!
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