Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah Prediction and Betting Preview
SportsMemo content contributor Kyle Kargel gives his Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah prediction in the Big Sky Conference. At the time of posting, the Bears have opened as a 1.5-point home favorite over the road Thunderbirds, with the total sitting at 156.5 points.
Check out our College Basketball Free Picks page for betting thoughts from some of the country’s top handicappers.
Monday, February 14 | Big Sky Conference Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Northern Colorado Bears -1.5 vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds |
Total: | 156.5 Points |
Game Time: | 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT |
Arena: | Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, CO |
TV: | ESPN+ |
Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah Analysis
It’s a race to catch Montana State in the Big Sky Conference in which Southern Utah sits 1.5 games back and Northern Colorado is three games out.
The Bears have won three straight games lifting their overall record over .500 (13-11). Southern Utah is 7-3 in their last ten with one of those losses coming at home to Northern Colorado back on New Year’s Day 91-81.
The Thunderbirds will look to avenge that home loss in Greeley tonight as they take on Northern Colorado as 1.5 point underdogs with tip off at 8 PM EST.
Southern Utah Sizzling on Offense
If there is any team that knows one another it’s Southern Utah. They’re first in the nation in minutes continuity which consists of four starters averaging over 30 minutes per game.
The Thunderbirds also rely on their experience as they rank in the top five nationally in overall team experience. Senior duo John Knight III and Tevian Jones combine for over 30 ppg, 9 rpg and 5 apg while shooting a combined 46.5% from the field.
Northern Colorado can take advantage of the Thunderbirds by drawing fouls early and often as Southern Utah ranks near the bottom of the country in two-foul participation. Knight III and Jones help contribute to the Thunderbirds 79.4 ppg which is good for 22nd highest in the country.
Let’s take a look at the Bears defense and see if they have what it takes to limit the scoring from Southern Utah.
Bears Brutal on Defense
As stated earlier, the Bears won these two teams’ last matchup but did allow the Thunderbirds to eclipse their average ppg total on the season and it’s obvious why. Northern Colorado ranks 321st nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
They have trouble forcing turnovers ranking 347th in percentage of opponent possessions to result in a turnover. They don’t generate steals on defense either with only four per game as a team.
Although not as experienced as the Thunderbirds, the Bears are the 14th most experienced team in the country. They lean on seniors Daylen Kountz (21 ppg, 52% fg shooting) and Bodie Hume (12 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 45% fg shooting) to be the primary playmakers on offense.
The last time these two teams played Kountz and Hume combined for 38 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. The Bears will likely need the same sort of output this time around as well in order to pick up this big home win.
Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah Prediction
This game looks to have the potential of another shootout as Northern Colorado knows it will have to outscore the Thunderbirds in order to contend. With the over/under currently set at 156.5, this one has a big opportunity to hit the over as they combined for 162 last time out.
The Bears 91 points came when the team took 41 three pointers! If you’re doing the math, that’s over one three pointer attempted for every minute of the game time played. Expect Northern Colorado to have some sort of similar offensive script this game as well.
Prediction: Over 156.5
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— Sportsmemo (@sportsmemo) February 14, 2022
Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah Preview from GoldSheet
College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Monday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Northern Colorado vs Southern Utah contest.
NCAAB Odds Screen
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