Northern Colorado vs Montana State and Betting Preview
Sportsmemo content contributor Kyle Kargel offers his Northern Colorado vs Montana State predictions and betting preview for the Big Sky Tournament Championship Game on Saturday, March 12. At the time of posting, the Bobcats are a 4.5-point favorite against the Bears, with the total sitting at 144.5 points.
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Saturday, March 12 | Big Sky Conference Tournament Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Northern Colorado Bears +4.5 vs Montana State Bobcats |
Total: | 144.5 Points |
Game Time: | 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT |
Arena: | Idaho Central Arena in Boise, ID |
TV: | ESPNU |
Northern Colorado vs Montana State Analysis
The Big Sky Conference Tournament finals are set between Northern Colorado and Montana State. These two are no strangers to each other, meeting twice already this season with most recently being at Montana State on March 5 where the Bobcats came away with a 87-85 win.
In their other meeting back on December 2 the Bears were able to pull away with an overtime win 77-75 in Greeley.
We’re looking forward to another tight matchup here but will the scoring be as high as in the other two meetings?
Can Kountz Stay Hot?
Northern Colorado was able to hold off upset worthy Portland State last night 86-79 as the Vikings were able to hold a lead through the first part of the second half until senior guard Daylen Kountz got hot scoring 36 points in total on 11-15 shooting including 4-6 from three and 10-11 from the free throw line.
Sixth man Dalton Knecht was hot as well, scoring 17 points on 4-7 shooting which is well over his season average of eight points per game.
Overall though, Northern Colorado has to improve on defense and quickly if they want to contain this Montana State offense that’s capable of keeping up with Northern Colorado.
The Bears adjusted defensive efficiency is 323rd nationally. They don’t generate turnovers and don’t defend the three at all ranking 337th or worse in each category.
If their defense doesn’t come around they’ll have to once again rely on their high octane offense ranking 6th in effective field goal percentage, 10th in three point percentage and 13th in two point field goal percentage.
The Beach Bank on Free Throw Shooting
The Bobcats have been hot since the start of 2022 only losing two games total and luckily for them, Northern Colorado wasn’t one of those losses.
Montana State definitely rolls out a much better defense ranking 137th in adjusted defensive efficiency, 122nd in three point field goal percentage against and 136th in two point field goal percentage against.
Leading scorer Xavier Bishop only shot 5-14 from the field against Weber State yesterday but he does only shoot 41% from the field on the season.
Like Northern Colorado, Montana State was down to Weber State up until five minutes into the second half when they cut the Wildcats lead down to nothing and eventually pulled away in the end. Northern Colorado is much more offensively sound than Weber State though.
Northern Colorado vs Montana State Prediction
With Montana State favored by 4.5 points and the over/under sitting at 144.5, I’ll take Northern Colorado plus the points and the over in this one as the Bears know their offense will have to be firing on all cylinders to keep pace with the Bobcats.
I think Kountz stays hot too, putting up 25+ points as well. The intensity in Boise will be high with a birth to the NCAA Tournament on the line.
Prediction: Northern Colorado +4.5 / Over 144.5
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Northern Colorado vs Montana State GoldSheet Preview
College Basketball Stat Sheet
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