The Belmont Bruins (20-10, 13-6 MVC) battle the Northern Iowa Panthers (13-16, 9-10) Sunday with tip from the McLeod Center set for 12:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Belmont vs. Northern Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Bruins beat the Panthers at home 76-72 on Jan. 14, failing to cover as a 5-point favorite while the Over 143 hit.
Belmont beat Indiana State 89-88 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite. The Bruins are 3-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 6 games. They are 14-13-2 ATS this season.
The Panthers lost to Southern Illinois 86-63 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 6.5-point road underdog. They are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games and 13-15 ATS on the season.
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Belmont at Northern Iowa odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Belmont -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Northern Iowa +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread (ATS): Belmont -2.5 (-115) | Northern Iowa +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Belmont at Northern Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Belmont 78, Northern Iowa 72
Moneyline
PASS.
The Bruins are a solid road favorite here and is deserving of the (-155) tag. Nonetheless, they are unplayable, as is the home underdog.
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Against the spread
BET BELMONT -2.5 (-115).
Northern Iowa has been the Missouri Valley Conference’s worst-covering team at home, posting just a 5-9 ATS record. It is also just 9-10 ATS in conference games which doesn’t compare well to Belmont’s 10-8-1 ATS in MVC competition.
Northern Iowa ranks outside the top 260 in opponents’ FG percentage (44.9%) and opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (35.9%). The efficient Belmont attack, ranking 45th in FG percentage (47%) and 12th in 3-point FG percentage (39.1%), will be a key reason the Bruins should be able to win and cover on the road.
Back BELMONT -2.5 (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 148.5 (-110).
Both teams have rewarded bettors that have wagered on the Over this season. UNI is 16-11 O/U this season while Belmont is 16-13 O/U. The two programs are 22-15-1 O/U combined in MVC competition.
UNI is 10-5-1 O/U as an underdog while Belmont is 13-8 O/U as a favorite. Put it all together and back the OVER 148.5 (-110).
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