NIT picks today: Tuesday's First Round men's best bets include George Washington vs. Utah Valley play [3/17/2026]

Today’s men's NIT picks for March 17, 2026 are here, with George Washington vs. Utah Valley among the First Round matchups identified as top value plays across Tuesday’s National Invitational Tournament schedule.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, going over the latest men's college basketball odds to uncover genuine betting edges throughout the tournament. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of men's NIT picks today [3/17, updated 10:37PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top men's NIT bets, ranked by edge for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Utah Valley ML (-130)

• Edge: 7.7%
• Probability: 64.1%
• Matchup: George Washington vs. Utah Valley (8:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model has identified value on Utah Valley to defeat George Washington at -130 odds. A 64.1% probability produces an edge of 7.7%, making this the strongest play for today's slate.

Utah Valley -2.5 (-105)

• Edge: 7.2%
• Probability: 58.4%
• Matchup: George Washington vs. Utah Valley (8:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Utah Valley -2.5 carries a 7.2% edge and a probability of 58.4% at -105 odds, according to our model.

Wake Forest -12.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 55.9%
• Matchup: Navy vs. Wake Forest (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Wake Forest -12.5 vs. Navy at -105 odds shows a 4.7% edge, supported by a 55.9% probability in simulations.

Illinois State ML (-225)

• Edge: 4.2%
• Probability: 73.5%
• Matchup: Kent State vs. Illinois State (8:00PM ET, Wednesday)

A 4.2% edge and 73.5% probability make Illinois State at the moneyline at a value play in the Kent State vs. Illinois State matchup, per our model.

Murray State vs. Nevada under 162.5 points (-106)

• Edge: 3.4%
• Probability: 54.9%
• Matchup: Murray State vs. Nevada (10:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Murray State vs. Nevada under 162.5 points at -106 odds presents a 3.4% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 54.9%.

Men's NIT best bets summary: Tuesday, 3/17/2026

As of 10:37PM ET, here are our top men's NIT bets by edge:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
George Washington vs. Utah Valley	Utah Valley ML	-130 @ DraftKings	7.7%	64.1%
George Washington vs. Utah Valley	Utah Valley -2.5	-105 @ BetMGM	7.2%	58.4%
Navy vs. Wake Forest	Wake Forest -12.5	-105 @ BetMGM	4.7%	55.9%
Kent State vs. Illinois State	Illinois State ML	-225 @ FanDuel	4.2%	73.5%
Murray State vs. Nevada	Under 162.5 Points	-106 @ FanDuel	3.4%	54.9%

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Conclusion

Today's men's NIT best bets are locked and loaded for March 17, 2026, featuring plays such as Utah Valley ML and Utah Valley -2.5. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.