The Montana State Bobcats (26-7) face the Northern Colorado Bears (20-14) Saturday in the Big Sky Tournament Final. Tip-off from the Idaho Central Arena in Boise is at 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we look at the Montana State vs. Northern Colorado odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The top-seed Bobcats ended the season on a 2-6 ATS skid, but Montana State has won and covered each game in the Big Sky Tournament so far.
Montana State won the most recent game vs. Northern Colorado in the regular-season finale, 87-85, although the Bears covered as four-point ‘dogs. The Bears won the first meeting in Greeley by a 77-75 count in overtime, although MSU narrowly covered as 2.5-point underdogs.
The Bears were impressive in ousting Portland State Friday, and they’re now 3-1 ATS across the past four games overall. The Over has cashed in six of the past eight games overall for NorCo.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Montana State vs. Northern Colorado odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Montana State -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Northern Colorado +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread (ATS): Montana State -3.5 (-115) | Northern Colorado +3.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Montana State vs. Northern Colorado odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Montana State 77, Northern Colorado 74
Money line
MONTANA STATE (-180) is a little on the expensive side, but it is worth the play in what should be a close game. Just picking the winner straight up, rather than trying to pick the winner and win by a certain amount can be less stressful.
The Bobcats are looking to go dancing for the first time since 1996, so Montana State could get off to a bit of a slow start in this potentially historic game for the program. We might see some nerves before the Bobcats get their sea legs and get going.
Against the spread
NORTHERN COLORADO +3.5 (-107) is worth playing in what should be a close game. Both games were decided by a bucket during the regular season.
As mentioned above, the weight of the world is on the shoulders of Montana State -3.5 (-115), as it looks to get to the Big Dance for the first time in 26 years. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Northern Colorado leading at halftime before Montana State starts to chip away in the second half. This game likely could end in typical March Madness fashion with a buzzer beater, too. That’s how evenly matched these teams have been this season.
Over/Under
The OVER 147.5 (-108) is the dominant trend for both teams lately. The Over is 20-7 in the past 27 games overall for Northern Colorado, while cashing in seven of the past 10 neutral-site games. The Over has hit in four straight against winning teams, too.
For Montana State, the Over is an impressive 7-2-1 in the past 10 games overall, while cashing the Over in six of the past seven games as a favorite.
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