The Northern Colorado Bears (7-14, 2-7 Big Sky) and Montana Grizzlies (10-12, 4-6) meet Thursday at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula, Mont. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northern Colorado vs. Montana game odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
NorCo suffered a 79-74 home loss to Montana in the first meeting on Jan. 3 as the Over (146) connected. Northern Colorado has picked up just 2 wins in the past 11 outings and is just 2-8 against the spread in the past 10 games.
The Griz snapped a 3-game losing streak last time out with a 73-67 win at Portland State as 2-point underdogs. It also ended a 3-game non-cover streak, and the Over snapped a 3-0 run to the Under.
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Northern Colorado at Montana odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Colorado +6.5 (-105) | Montana -6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 144.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Northern Colorado at Montana picks and predictions
Prediction
Montana 77, Northern Colorado 69
Moneyline
The moneyline is OTB at the time of publication.
However, Montana will be too expensive when it opens for a team that is under .500.
While the Griz won the first meeting in this Big Sky Conference matchup, look to the line instead.
PASS.
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Against the spread
MONTANA -6.5 (-115) and Northern Colorado have each had issues against the number this season.
However, the Griz have managed a 5-1 ATS mark in the past 6 games against teams with a winning percentage of .400 or lower. Montana usually takes care of business against the teams it should beat.
The Bears are just 2-8 ATS in the past 10 games overall and 1-4 ATS in the past 5 road outings.
Over/Under
OVER 144.5 (-105) is the lean, but go lightly with a half-unit at best.
The Over is 7-3 in the past 10 games on the road for NorCo, while going 14-6 in the past 20 games on the road against teams with a winning home record.
The Over is 4-0 in the past 4 games for Montana against losing teams, too, while going 5-2 in the past 7 following a cover.
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