The North Dakota State Bison (3-4) will try to snap the five-game winning streak of Missouri State when they welcome the Bears (7-2) to Scheels Center. Missouri State is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 133.5 points. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 4, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN Full Court.
Missouri State Bears at North Dakota State Bison ATS Preview
The Bears had no trouble getting past the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in their last contest, 73-53. Alize Johnson was the games leading scorer with 20 points on 8-for-17 shooting. The Bears held the Jackrabbits to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.1 (below their season average of 29.3) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.556 (above their season average of 0.498).
In the Bison’s last game, they were blown out by the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 83-59. Paul Miller was North Dakota State’s high scorer with 19 points on 9-for-18 shooting. Mississippi State’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over North Dakota State. The Bulldogs had a rate of 0.183 (below their season average of 0.278), while the Bison posted a mark of 0.088 (below their season average of 0.198).
It could be a tough game for North Dakota State on the offensive glass. Since last season, the Bison rank 315th in offensive rebounding percentage (24.8 percent), while Missouri State ranks 39th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.5 percent).
Of Missouri State’s 7 games that accepted bets, four have finished under the O/U total, while 2 of North Dakota State’s 4 games have finished over the O/U total. The Bears hold a significant advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 7-2 SU and 4-3 ATS, while the Bison are 3-4 SU and 2-2 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 111 points, well under the projected point total of 143.5. The Bison won 57-54, covering as 10-point underdogs. North Dakota State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.446 vs. 0.336). Missouri State, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.213 vs. 0.125). Johnson finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds.
Missouri State Bears vs. North Dakota State Bison Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Missouri State, ATS Winner – Missouri State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears rank 228th in assists per game (12.5) while the Bison rank 233rd (12.4).
- Missouri State ranks 72nd in rebounds per game (38.0) while North Dakota State ranks 236th (34.6).
- The Bison rank 200th in steals per game (5.8) while the Bears rank 235th (5.4).
- Missouri State averages 21.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 153rd in the nation. North Dakota State ranks 160th in three pointers allowed per game (21.2).
