The Missouri State Bears (2-0) will be at home in JQH Arena when they square off against the North Dakota State Bison (0-2). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 144 points with Missouri State opening as an 11.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 17, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
North Dakota State Bison vs. Missouri State Bears ATS Preview
The Bison fell to the No. 10 USC Trojans in their last game, 75-65. Cameron Hunter had a solid game for North Dakota State, leading the team in scoring with 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting. USC had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.8 vs. 11.4). North Dakota State, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.492 vs. 0.483).
In the Bears last game, they blew out the Southern University Jaguars, 86-58. Alize Johnson had a good outing for Missouri State, recording 10 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Missouri State played a perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.2 and a free throw rate of 0.217. Southern University put up marks of 17.6 and 0.134, respectively, for those same stats.
The prolific offense of Missouri State will battle against the mid-tier defense of North Dakota State. Dating back to last season, the Bears rank 94th in offensive efficiency, while the Bison are 206th in defensive efficiency. The Bears should have the edge on that side of the ball. Furthermore, the Bison rank 59th in turnover percentage (17.0 percent), while the Bears rank 297th in opponents turnover percentage (17.1 percent).
The Bison are 19-13 straight up (SU) since last season, but have had difficulty covering the spread (9-17-1 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas has had a tendency to set the total low when North Dakota State is involved since last season as 70.4 percent of their games have gone over the O/U total.
The Bears have had a decent 19-16 SU record since last season, but have struggled covering the spread (13-16-2 ATS). Vegas has had a tendency to place the total low when Missouri State has been involved over that same period as 71.0 percent of their games have ended over the projected point total.
The Bears won the lone game against the Bison last season, 64-50. The Bears dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.224 and a turnover percentage of 16.5. The Bison had marks of 0.017 and 19.5, respectively, for those same stats.
North Dakota State Bison vs. Missouri State Bears ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Missouri State, ATS Winner – North Dakota State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears rank 44th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while the Bison rank 90th (3.1).
- Missouri State ranks 235th in assists per game (12.4) while North Dakota State ranks 248th (12.2).
- Missouri State ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (31.4) while North Dakota State ranks 166th (35.1).
- The Bears average 22.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 115th in the NCAA. The Bison rank 196th in three pointers allowed per game (21.8).
- North Dakota State ranks 172nd in steals per game (6.0) while Missouri State ranks 231st (5.3).
