A five-game home winning streak hangs in the balance for the Northern Colorado Bears (11-5, 4-1 BigSky) when they clash with the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (8-7, 2-4 BigSky) at Bank of Colorado Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs. Northern Colorado Bears Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Bears easily got past the Sacramento State Hornets 71-52, while the Lumberjacks barely escaped the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 75-72.
Northern Arizona played a nearly flawless game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (below their season average of 28.6) and a turnover percentage of 10.8 (better than their season average of 16.7). Southern Utah was 9.1 and 24.3, respectively, for those same stats. The Bears, meanwhile, made 13 of their 17 free throws (76.5 percent), while the Hornets had a turnover percentage of 20.6 (above the 16.7 mark opponents have averaged against Northern Colorado this season). Jonah Radebaugh had a good game for Northern Colorado, contributing 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Cameron Shelton played a key role for Northern Arizona with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists.
This was a highly contested series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. In the most recent contest, the Lumberjacks won 89-78. Northern Arizona won the rebounding battle. The Lumberjacks had more offensive rebounds (10 vs. 4), defensive rebounds (31 vs. 29) and total rebounds (41 vs. 33). This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Northern Colorado figures to have a considerable edge. The upper-echelon Bears offense ranks 39th in the country in that metric at 0.538, while the suspect Northern Arizona defense is ranked 295th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.519). Also, the Lumberjacks, who rank 265th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.196), will square off against the Bears, who rank 28th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.160).
Northern Arizona at Northern Colorado Free Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Northern Colorado, ATS Winner – Northern Colorado, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Northern Colorado ranks 33rd in three pointers attempted per game (26.8) while Northern Arizona ranks 170th (21.1).
- The Bears rank 44th in rebounds allowed per game (32.2) while the Lumberjacks rank 51st (32.6).
- The Bears rank first in assists allowed per game (7.3) while the Lumberjacks rank 122nd (12.3).
- Northern Colorado ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Northern Arizona ranks 59th (5.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.6, down from 13.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Lumberjacks have scored an average of 66.4 points per game (5.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.8 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
