Montana State Bobcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats odds predictions pick betting line spread

[mm-video type=video id=01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0 playlist_id=none player_id=01evcg1x9ny8tb834m image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0/01gved089g4bg8hvxtj0-3dc54a5dbd48b9ec5483c0ce0eebf69e.jpg]

The 14th-seeded Montana State Bobcats (25-9) will look for an NCAA Tournament first-round upset of the 3-seed Kansas State Wildcats (23-9) in Greensboro, N.C., Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Montana State vs. Kansas State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 13th-ranked Wildcats come in battle-tested from the Big-12. Against an extremely difficult schedule, Kansas State limited teams to 68.7 points per game, while scoring 75.8 PPG. The Bobcats limited opponents to 66.3 points, but of course faced an easier schedule in the Big Sky.

Montana State ranked 39th this season at 47.2% FG and averaged 74 points, but is overmatched against Kansas State and its length down low.

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $5,000 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3259″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3272″ ]

[betwidget_tipico]

Montana State vs. Kansas State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:26 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Montana State +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Kansas State -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Montana State +7.5 (-105) | Kansas State -8.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Montana State vs. Kansas State picks and predictions

Prediction

Kansas State 68, Montana State 62

Moneyline

PASS.

Kansas State, despite 9 losses, was still able to manage a 3-seed coming from the Big-12 and facing the best teams in the country.

Montana State is not one of those opponents and the Wildcats at -340 is not worth a wager. If you are adding plays to a parlay, this should be one of the safest plays of the first round. But do not wager this number straight.

Against the spread

MONTANA STATEe +7.5 (-105).

Kansas State has major advantages over the Bobcats. This will show in the rebounding margin and 2nd-chance points. Even though Kansas State will outrebound Montana State, the Bobcats still come in ranked top 40 in FG% in the nation at 47.2%. If they can continue to hit shots here, the ability for them to keep the game within 8 points is high.

Kansas State, which ranks 13th in 3-point percentage, will not need to do so in this game. With the size advantage inside, the Wildcats will rely on the post-game and with these shots not accounting for as many points as a 3-point shot, the game will also remain closer than expected.

I do not expect Montana State to win. But it can keep the game within 8 points.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

UNDER 139.5 (-108)

With the Wildcats allowing 68.7 points and Montana State only averaging 74.0 this game smells like an Under.

The Wildcats have gone Under the total in its last 5 games against a team with a win percentage above .600. The Under has also hit in 5 of 6 games for Kansas State following a loss.

While Montana State does not provide the challenge of a Big 12 team to the Wildcats, the Bobcats defense will provide enough of an impediment to keep this game from getting out of hand and going Over 139.5.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Dominick Petrillo on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

[mm-video type=video id=01gvnkk6mc6xgexdak00 playlist_id=none player_id=01evcg1x9ny8tb834m image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gvnkk6mc6xgexdak00/01gvnkk6mc6xgexdak00-27396f7c8012c272cdc78eeb58fe6e57.jpg]

Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament brings 16 more betting opportunities and an upset or two is likely. Below, we break down Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines and list Friday’s best first-round upset bets to cash in on among SportbookWire’s expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Cashing in on those opportunities requires a little bit of in-game luck — a turnover here, a 4th foul there, a momentum-swinging 3-pointer made, or a key free throw on the front end of a 1-and-1. However, we can also do our best to make wise assessments when seeking out these upset possibilities. We’re looking for leverage with value plays where the win is more probable than what the public is seeing.

Below are the 4 best bets for Friday upsets.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3259″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3272″ ]

[betwidget_tipico]

Friday’s NCAA Tournament upset picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:25 p.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

NC STATE +5.5 (-112) vs. Creighton – 4 p.m.

NC State is likely due some positive regression in its defensive numbers. The Wolfpack went on an 11-2 from Dec. 13-Feb. 4, and the Bluejays had a stretch that saw them go 8-0 from Jan. 14-Feb. 11. However, recent skill indicators point to NC State being closer to getting back to that level than Creighton is.

The Bluejays are 0-4 against the spread in their last 4 games against teams playing .600 or better basketball. Both teams have played schedules tilting toward better offensive talent, and the Under is a likable play, so look for the Wolfpack to leverage that kind of game into something quite close down the stretch.

UC SANTA BARBARA +11.5 (-105) vs. Baylor – 1:30 p.m.

UC Santa Barbara swept the regular-season and tournament titles in this season’s Big West Conference play. UCSB sported that conference’s most efficient offense, shooting 49.34% from the field (7th nationally). The Gauchos take care of the ball and frequently get to the free-throw line — and they enter this battle on a 7-game win streak.

Baylor lost its regular-season finale and Big 12 tourney opener — both to Iowa State — and is just 2-4 across its last 6 games.

UCSB was a profitable 20-10-1 ATS this season, and while an outright win is unlikely, this double-digit point spread makes the Gauchos a solid underdog play.

DRAKE (+110 ML) vs. Miami – 7:25 p.m.

This contest is a 12-5 (DU-UM) Midwest Region battle in Albany. A 12-seed has won 53 first-round games since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Miami may be getting a little too much credit coming out of a weaker-than-usual ACC. The Hurricanes are 2-5 ATS under coach Jim Larrañaga in their last 7 NCAA tourney games.

Drake is 13-1 over their last 14 games and has outscored foes by an average of 14.7 points while shooting 40.9% from distance over that stretch. DU is an experienced bunch and one that plays responsible ball at both ends of the floor. Miami can sometimes struggle against teams that defend the perimeter well, and that’s a Drake strength (30.6% 3-point defense, 28th).

MONTANA STATE +8.5 (-110) vs. Kansas State – 9:40 p.m.

Peg this game as more of a “wild opportunity for a bracket run” than just a 1-time upset. There are some weak spots in the potential 2nd and 3rd games should Montana State advance here.

Kansas State has logged back-to-back flat performances, and the Wildcats are just a few weeks removed from a similar stretch in February. Montana State gets to the line a ton (23.4 free throws per game, 9th), and the Bobcats enter the East Region brackets having won 8 consecutive games.