The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (4-4) go head-to-head with the North Dakota State Bison (3-5) at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
North Dakota is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 147 points.
North Dakota State Bison at North Dakota Fighting Hawks ATS Prediction
In the Bison’s last outing, they were defeated by the Missouri State Bears, 71-58. Missouri State won the rebounding battle. The Bears had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. four), defensive rebounds (30 vs. 22) and total rebounds (42 vs. 26). Paul Miller led North Dakota State in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
The Fighting Hawks lost big to the Creighton Bluejays in their last matchup, 111-68. Creighton’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over North Dakota. The Bluejays had a rate of 27.3 (above their season average of 24.9), while the Fighting Hawks posted a mark of 11.4 (below their season average of 27.0). With 16 points, North Dakota’s Cortez Seales had a solid game.
This game should be a matchup of conflicting tempos. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, North Dakota has preferred a fast-breaking style of play (34th in possessions per game), while North Dakota State has been slower-paced (253rd in possessions per game).
North Dakota State heads into the game with records of 3-5 straight up (SU) and 2-3 against the spread (ATS). Bison games have typically gone under the projected point total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, North Dakota is 4-4 SU and 2-3 ATS. Unlike North Dakota State, games including the Fighting Hawks have typically finished over the total (100.0 percent).
These two teams split two games last season. In the last contest, the Bison won 87-70. The Bison had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.605 vs. 0.482) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 20.0).
North Dakota State Bison vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – North Dakota, ATS Winner – North Dakota State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
North Dakota ranks 27th in steals per game (8.0) while North Dakota State ranks 192nd (5.8).
The Fighting Hawks rank 85th in assists per game (14.8) while the Bison rank 228th (12.4).
North Dakota State ranks 142nd in three pointers attempted per game (21.9) while North Dakota ranks 235th (19.1).
The Fighting Hawks rank 174th in rebounds per game (35.7) while the Bison rank 235th (34.4).
North Dakota ranks 21st in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while North Dakota State ranks 68th (3.0).
