Momentum means so much more in March. It’s the reason the Prairie View A&M Panthers are playing the Lehigh Mountain Hawks tonight in the First Four play-in.
The Panthers caught fire down the home stretch of their conference calendar, pumping them up to a No. 8 seed in the SWAC tournament. A 5-1 finish the regular season morphed into a four-game winning run all the way to the tournament title and an unexpected spot in the Field of 68.
But they're not the only team running hot.
Our Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M predictions like Lehigh to burn hotter, and my March Madness picks bank on Mountain Hawks forward Hank Alvey to beat up PVA&M on Wednesday, March 18.
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M prediction
Who will win Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M?
Before winning nine of their last 10 games, the Prairie View A&M Panthers were making spring break plans — not booking flights to Ohio. They’re the weakest team in the Field of 68 and face the equally hot Lehigh Mountain Hawks, who have lost just once in their past nine games — including three straight victories to take the Patriot League crown as a No. 2 seed.
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M best bet: Hank Alvey Over 16.5 points (-105)
Lehigh is known for its sharp shooting from distance, but sophomore Hank Alvey gives the Mountain Hawks a potent inside-out punch.
The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward is a problem for a smaller Prairie View A&M squad. The Panthers have a couple of forwards that run around 6-foot-9, but they’re outmuscled and outclassed against Alvey.
He ravaged Colgate on the blocks for 30 points in the Patriot League tournament and now faces a Prairie View A&M defense allowing more than 36 PITP per game (321st).
He’s also a threat on the offensive glass — another issue for PVA&M — and picks up plenty of second-chance buckets.
COVERS INTEL: Alvey averaged 16.7 points in conference play and has scored 17 or more in seven of his last 11 games heading into the First Four, upping his output to 19.6 points in that span.
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M same-game parlay
The Panthers run the risk of a big letdown after a surprise run to the play-in. Game models all give Lehigh the nod, and the spread ran from an opener of -1.5 to -3.5. Someone out there likes the Mountain Hawks.
While Alvey dominates inside, Prairie View A&M will get sucked into helping and leave Lehigh’s shooters with extra space. Nasir Whitlock is a walking bucket and has knocked down two or more triples in 14 of his last 18 games overall.
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M SGP
- Lehigh Moneyline
- Hank Alvey Over 16.5 points
- Nasir Whitlock Over 1.5 threes
Our Big Dance SGP: Lehigh as a kite
Lehigh may have gone Under in all three Patriot League tournament wins, but this team posted an 11-4 Over/Under count in the final 15 regular-season games.
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M SGP
- Lehigh -3.5
- Over 143
- Hank Alvey Over 16.5 points
- Nasir Whitlock Over 21.5 points
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M odds
- Spread: Lehigh -3.5 | Prairie View A&M +3.5
- Moneyline: Lehigh -165 | Prairie View A&M +135
- Over/Under: Over 142 | Under 143
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M betting trend to know
Lehigh has gone Over its Team Total in 13 of its last 18 games (+7.20 Units/34% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M.
How to watch Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M
| Location | UD Arena, Dayton, OH |
| Date | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | truTV |
Lehigh vs Prairie View A&M key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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