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The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3-9) face the No. 19 Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-1) Monday. Tip-off from Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss., is set for 9 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Bethune-Cookman vs. Mississippi State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Wildcats lost their fifth game in the last 6, falling 76-63 at the Davidson Wildcats Dec. 21. They covered as 14-point underdogs, and the Under (143) cashed. Bethune-Cookman struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 4 of 18 (22.2%). F Reggie Ward Jr. led the team with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
The Bulldogs extended their win streak to 5 games with a 79-66 victory at the then-No. 22 Memphis Tigers Dec. 21. They covered as 1.5-point favorites, and the Under (152) cashed. G Riley Kugel led the way off the bench with 19 points for Mississippi State, which outscored the Tigers 38-18 in the paint.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll (*-new rankings to be released Monday afternoon)
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Bethune-Cookman at Mississippi State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 5:24 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bethune-Cookman +29.5 (-110) | Mississippi State -29.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Bethune-Cookman at Mississippi State picks and predictions
Prediction
Mississippi State 89, Bethune-Cookman 57
Moneyline
PASS.
You obviously can’t bet the moneyline because it’s OTB. You wouldn’t want to bet whatever crazy line they offered anyway (-50000 at FanDuel Sportsbook). Take your wager to the spread in this one.
Against the spread
BET MISSISSIPPI STATE -29.5 (-105).
Bethune-Cookman has struggled offensively, ranking 349th in the nation with just 63.9 points per game (PPG) while also allowing 74.6 (267th).
Mississippi State, however, is off to a strong 11-1 start, with impressive wins over teams like the Utah Utes, SMU Mustangs, Pittsburgh Panthers and Memphis Tigers. The Bulldogs have held their last 7 opponents to an average of 67.7 PPG. They’ve covered in back-to-back games overall and gone 3-2 ATS as favorites of 20 or more points.
With a tough defense averaging 10.3 steals per game (9th in the country) and strong rebounding (14.1 offensive rebounds per game), Mississippi State should have no trouble covering the spread at home.
Over/Under
PASS.
I’m staying away from this bet. These teams are each 6-6 O/U this season. Mississippi State should have no trouble scoring against Bethune-Cookman, but the Wildcats’ scoring inconsistency makes them hard to trust. Focus on the spread instead of the total in this matchup.
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