The Northern Colorado Bears (18-13, 13-6 Big Sky) travel to meet the Montana State Bobcats (23-7, 15-4) at Worthington Arena in Bozeman, Mont. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Northern Colorado vs. Montana State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Bears picked up an impressive 75-66 win at Montana Thursday, winning for the fourth time in the past five games. Northern Colorado posted a 77-75 overtime home win in the first matchup with Montana State this season back on Dec. 2 in Greeley.
The Bobcats wrapped up the Big Sky regular-season title with a 75-69 win over visiting Sacramento State Thursday, although Montana State is just 2-5 against the spread (ATS) across the past seven games overall. The Over is 5-1-1 in the past seven for MSU.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Northern Colorado at Montana State 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 5:57 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Northern Colorado +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Montana State -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Northern Colorado +5.5 (-105) | Montana State -5.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Northern Colorado at Montana State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Montana State 76, Northern Colorado 73
Money line
Montana State (-280) is a little on the steep side, costing nearly three times your potential return. Betting heavy money line favorites like this is going to cost a gambler in the long run.
AVOID.
Against the spread
NORTHERN COLORADO +5.5 (-105) is worth a play in this one. Montana State already sealed up the conference’s regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the Big Sky Tournament. The Bears are at least guaranteed an NIT bid – assuming they don’t win the league tourney – so, it remains to be seen how hungry they’ll be Saturday.
NorCo is fighting for seeding in the upcoming Big Sky tourney, and coming off its impressive win at Montana last time out.
Plus, the road team has cashed in seven straight in this head-to-head series, and the underdog is an impressive 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.
Over/Under
The OVER 148.5 (-107) is the lean here, ever so slightly, mainly based upon the trends.
The Over has hit in 18 of the past 24 games overall for Northern Colorado, including 3-1-1 in the past five against winning teams. The Over is 5-1-1 in the past seven games overall for Montana State, too.
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