The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (4-11, 0-4 BigSky) will attempt to snap their eight-game losing streak when they square off with the Idaho State Bengals (8-6, 3-0 BigSky) at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018.
North Dakota opened as a 3-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 148 points.
Idaho State Bengals at North Dakota Fighting Hawks Free Prediction
In the Bengals’ last matchup, they topped the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 64-60. Idaho State held the Lumberjacks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.429 (below the 0.505 mark opponents have averaged against Idaho State this season). Northern Arizona, meanwhile, held the Bengals to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.9 (below their season average of 24.3). Idaho State was led by Jared Stutzman, who led the team in scoring with 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
The Fighting Hawks fell to the Montana State Bobcats in their last matchup, 79-68. Montana State out-rebounded North Dakota. The Bobcats had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. five), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 24) and total rebounds (42 vs. 29). With 19 points on 5-for-11 shooting, Tray Buchanan was North Dakota’s leading scorer.
Contrasting styles will be on display in this showdown. North Dakota prefers a fast-breaking style of play (17th in possessions per game), while Idaho State is methodical (142nd in possessions per game).
Idaho State holds records of 8-6 straight up (SU) and 6-3-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Bengals are involved, as seven of their 10 games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, North Dakota is 4-11 SU and 3-9 ATS. Unlike Idaho State, games featuring the Fighting Hawks tend to finish over the O/U total (66.7 percent).
After the Fighting Hawks won both games against the Bengals last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last contest, North Dakota won 77-61. The Fighting Hawks had a much better turnover percentage (14.1 vs. 22.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.570 vs. 0.402).
Idaho State Bengals at North Dakota Fighting Hawks Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – North Dakota, ATS Winner – North Dakota, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Idaho State is 3-2-1 ATS on the road with 4 unders and 2 overs.
At home, North Dakota is 0-3 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over.
Idaho State ranks 105th in rebounds allowed per game (34.1) while North Dakota ranks 231st (38.8).
The Bengals rank 42nd in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Fighting Hawks rank 165th (14.3).
Idaho State ranks 54th in steals per game (7.4) while North Dakota ranks 161st in steals allowed per game (7.7).
The Bengals are 39th in the NCAA with 19.2 three pointers allowed per game while the Fighting Hawks are 53rd with 19.7 three pointers allowed per game.
North Dakota allows the 25th-fewest blocks per game (2.4) while Idaho State ranks 27th (2.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Idaho State is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
North Dakota is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bengals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.8, up from 1.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Hawks have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 85.6 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
