The Sam Houston State Bearkats (21-14) take on the Northern Colorado Bears (24-12) in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament at Bank of Colorado Arena. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
Northern Colorado is a 10.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 150.5 points.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Northern Colorado Bears ATS Prediction
The Bearkats come in on a high note after beating the UTSA Roadrunners in their last matchup, 76-69. The Bearkats made 27 of their 34 free throws (79.4 percent) and held the Roadrunners to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.6 (below their season average of 28.0). Christopher Galbreath Jr. played a key role for Sam Houston State with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
In the Bears’ last matchup, they were victorious over the San Diego Toreros, 86-75. The Bears forced 17 turnovers, while the Toreros had a free throw rate of 0.143 (below their season average of 0.282). With 21 points and 12 rebounds, Jordan Davis had a good performance for Northern Colorado.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between a pair of the nation’s best defenses. Northern Colorado ranks 50th in defensive efficiency (99.2) and Sam Houston State is 51st (99.2). Furthermore, the Bearkats rank 55th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.1 percent), while the Bears rank 21st in defensive rebounding percentage (76.2 percent).
Sam Houston State comes into the contest with records of 21-14 straight up (SU) and 4-3 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Bearkats have typically gone under the total (57.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Northern Colorado is 24-12 SU and 22-10-1 ATS. Unlike Sam Houston State, games including the Bears have finished over the total 54.5 percent of the time.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Northern Colorado Bears Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Northern Colorado, ATS Winner – Sam Houston State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northern Colorado ranks first in three pointers allowed per game (14.6) while Sam Houston State ranks 229th (23.5).
The Bearkats rank 96th in assists per game (14.7) while the Bears rank 255th (11.9).
Northern Colorado ranks 117th in blocks per game (3.6) while Sam Houston State ranks 261st (1.7).
The Bearkats rank 74th in rebounds per game (37.7) while the Bears rank 191st in rebounds allowed per game (35.6).
Sam Houston State is 31st in the NCAA with 5.1 steals allowed per game while Northern Colorado is 43rd with 5.3 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bearkats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 3.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
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