The Denver Pioneers (11-9, 2-5 Summit League) battle the South Dakota Coyotes (8-10, 3-3) at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center Thursday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Denver vs. South Dakota odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Pioneers beat North Dakota 78-71 on Jan. 14, covering as a 5.5-point home favorite. Denver is 8-9-1 against the spread (ATS) this season, but just 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games. Denver’s strength is offense, ranking 7th in the nation in field goal percentage (50%).
The Coyotes are just 4-12 ATS on the season. They are 5-3 straight up at home and are coming off an 82-64 home loss to South Dakota State, failing to cover as a 2-point underdog. South Dakota is 2-7 ATS in its last 9. Its strength is 3-point shooting, ranking 3rd in the nation (40.5%).
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Denver at South Dakota odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Denver +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | South Dakota -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Denver +4.5 (-110) | South Dakota -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Denver at South Dakota picks and predictions
Prediction
South Dakota 76, Denver 74
Moneyline
PASS.
Denver has some value here, but I would ultimately take the points over the moneyline value. The Pioneers are just 3-6 straight up on the road.
Against the spread
LEAN DENVER +4.5 (-110).
Denver is a more reliable play here as its strength is shooting from the field and not from deep which gives more trust in its offense. It also has been better at covering all season long with a 8-9-1 record compared to South Dakota’s 4-12 ATS record.
The Coyotes rank 244th in opponents’ FG percentage (44.2%), so they may have no answer for the Pioneers offensive. They have also failed to cover 3 in a row and are just 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Put it all together and back DENVER +4.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 147.5 (-105).
Both teams have efficient offenses, just in different styles with Denver shooting 50% from the field and South Dakota 40.5% from deep. The Pioneers are 15-3 O/U this season, so backing points in these games has rewarded bettors.
They have gone Over in 4 straight games and scored at least 70 in each while giving up at least 80 in 3 of the 4. Denver ranks 296th in opponents’ FG percentage (45.4%). Neither team is great at defense and both have strengths on offense.
Couple those and back the OVER 147.5 (-105).
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