It will be a battle between Summit opponents when the North Dakota State Bison (7-6) welcome the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (10-4) to Scheels Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and will air on ESPN Full Court.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota State Bison Free Prediction
The Jackrabbits come in on a high note after blowing out the Presentation Saints in their last matchup, 111-68. The Jackrabbits knocked down 17 of their 24 free throws (70.8 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.758 (above their season average of 0.556). With 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Mike Daum was the top scorer from either team.
In the Bison’s last matchup, they dismantled the Jamestown Jimmies, 99-50. The Bison had a much better free throw rate (0.375 vs. 0.062) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.696 vs. 0.354). Paul Miller was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
North Dakota State figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Bison rank 79th in effective field goal percentage (0.576), while South Dakota State ranks 271st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.505).
South Dakota State holds records of 10-4 straight up (SU) and 7-4 against the spread (ATS). Jackrabbits games have typically gone over the projected point total (63.6 percent).
Meanwhile, North Dakota State is 7-6 SU and 5-4 ATS. Unlike South Dakota State, games featuring the Bison have a tendency to go under the O/U total (55.6 percent).
Daum and David Jenkins Jr. have played at a high level over the last five games for South Dakota State. Daum has averaged 25.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Jenkins Jr. has put up 17.8 points a game during that span.
After the Bison won both meetings against the Jackrabbits last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, North Dakota State won 82-65. North Dakota State’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over South Dakota State. The Bison had a rate of 0.595 while the Jackrabbits posted a mark of 0.439.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits at North Dakota State Bison Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – North Dakota State, ATS Winner – North Dakota State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
South Dakota State is 4-3 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 1 under.
North Dakota State is 0-1 ATS at home with 1 under and 0 overs.
North Dakota State ranks 96th in three pointers allowed per game (18.8) while South Dakota State ranks 262nd (25.6).
The Jackrabbits are 46th in the nation with 2.1 blocks allowed per game while the Bison are 54th with 2.6 blocks allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, South Dakota State is 2-1 ATS with 2 overs and 1 under.
North Dakota State is 2-1 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Jackrabbits’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.6, up from 12.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bison have scored an average of 88.2 points per game (13.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.6 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
