The North Dakota State Bison (0-1) travel to Lawrence to battle the defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks (0-0) Thursday at 8 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the North Dakota State vs. Kansas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
No. 5 Kansas starts its championship defense against a North Dakota State team coming off a season-opening 76-58 loss to No. 10 Arkansas. However, the Bison did cover as 22.5-point underdogs.
This will be another challenging game as Kansas is the winningest program in college basketball history. The Bison will look to get out of this game unscathed as they hope to make an impression in the Summit League and make the NCAA Tournament.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
North Dakota State at Kansas odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): North Dakota State +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300) | Kansas -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): North Dakota State +24.5 (-112) | Kansas -24.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
North Dakota State at Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 87, North Dakota State 65
Moneyline
PASS.
A wager is not worth making on the ML for either team.
Against the spread
LEAN NORTH DAKOTA STATE +24.5 (-112).
Kansas is far better than North Dakota State. But we see, early in the season, that not all teams come out strong.
The defending champions may just come out a little lazy in this one with coach Bill Self on a university-imposed suspension. While talent will win out and the Jayhawks will roll, they might keep it just close enough to not cover this large 24.5-point number on opening night.
Over/Under
BET OVER 146.5 (-112).
North Dakota State has already played a game this season against a top-10 opponent in Arkansas. The Razorbacks, like the Jayhawks can score. The Bison gave up 76 to Arkansas and I can see 80 going up in this one.
On the other side, Kansas will be sitting starters by the end of the game and the defense will take a hit. It will take garbage time to get there, but OVER 146.5 (-112) is my FAVORITE PLAY.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. 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]