It will be a battle between BigSky opponents when the Montana State Bobcats (8-6, 2-0 BigSky) welcome the Northern Colorado Bears (11-4, 2-0 BigSky) to Max Worthington Arena. The game gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 152 points with Northern Colorado opening as a 3-point favorite.
Northern Colorado Bears vs. Montana State Bobcats ATS Prediction
The last time the Bears played, they defeated the Idaho Vandals, 81-77. Northern Colorado’s 9.9 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Idaho, who had a mark of 15.8. The Bears’ mark was better than their season average of 15.2. Northern Colorado was lifted by Jordan Davis, who finished with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Bobcats won a close one over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in their last game, 76-73. Montana State’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Northern Arizona. The Bobcats had a rate of 6.4 (better than their season average of 16.2), while the Lumberjacks posted a mark of 20.7. Keljin Blevins was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
Montana State might struggle to put up points as they face off against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Northern Colorado currently ranks 52nd in defensive efficiency while the Bobcats rank 166th in offensive efficiency.
Northern Colorado comes into the contest with records of 11-4 straight up (SU) and 9-2-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bears’ 12 games that accepted bets, seven have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Montana State owns records of 8-6 SU and 5-8 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Bobcats games, with 6 overs compared to 6 unders.
Andre Spight has averaged 22.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Northern Colorado.
After the Bobcats won the sole game against the Bears last season, 68-53, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Bobcats had a much better turnover percentage (16.9 vs. 25.7) and had a better free throw rate (0.211 vs. 0.173).
Northern Colorado Bears vs. Montana State Bobcats ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Northern Colorado, ATS Winner – Northern Colorado, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northern Colorado is 6-1-1 ATS on the road with 4 overs and 4 unders.
Montana State is 1-1 ATS at home with 1 over and 0 push.
Northern Colorado ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Montana State ranks 147th (4.4).
The Bears rank 58th in rebounds per game (38.7) while the Bobcats rank 162nd in rebounds allowed per game (35.8).
Northern Colorado ranks 30th in three pointers attempted per game (26.8) while Montana State ranks 100th (23.5).
The Bears rank 20th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Bobcats rank 64th (5.8).
Montana State ranks 196th in assists per game (12.4) while Northern Colorado ranks 226th (11.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Northern Colorado is 5-0 ATS with 5 overs.
Montana State is 2-3 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 9.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bobcats have scored an average of 79.8 points per game (2.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 82.4 points per game (5.9 above their season average).
