Northern Colorado Bears vs. Youngstown State Penguins ATS Odds

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The Youngstown State Penguins (2-2) and the Northern Colorado Bears (2-2) face off at Sanford Pentagon. Northern Colorado opened as a 3.5-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 166.5 points. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Friday, November 24, 2017.

Northern Colorado Bears vs. Youngstown State Penguins Odds Preview

The Bears easily got past the Northern New Mexico Eagles in their last outing, 97-62. Anthony Johnson was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Northern Colorado played a perfect game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 9.2 (better than their season average of 16.6) and a free throw rate of 0.289 (above their season average of 0.246). For those same stats, Northern New Mexico recorded marks of 25.1 and 0.138, respectively. The last time the Penguins played, they beat the Westminster (PA) Titans, 91-83. Cameron Morse was a key piece for Youngstown State with 18 points and six assists. Youngstown State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 53.3 (above their season average of 36.7) and a free throw rate of 0.158 (above their season average of 0.156). For those same stats, Westminster (PA) was 31.0 and 0.125, respectively. It will be a battle of contrasting paces as the fast-breaking Penguins will look to push the more grind-it-out Bears. Since the 2016-17 season, the Penguins rank ninth in possessions per game while the Bears are 172nd. Also, the Bears rank 279th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.220), while the Penguins rank 52nd in opponents FTA rate (0.205). Since last season, the Bears are 13-20 straight up (SU) and 13-15 against the spread (ATS). Games involving Northern Colorado have gone under the O/U total 53.6 percent of the time since last season. The Penguins, meanwhile, have records of 15-23 SU and 12-19 ATS since last season. Vegas has had a tendency to place the total low when Youngstown State has been involved over that same period as 61.3 percent of their games have gone over the O/U total.

Northern Colorado Bears vs. Youngstown State Penguins Betting Prediction

Predictions: SU Winner – Youngstown State, ATS Winner – Youngstown State, O/U – Over

Betting Notes (2016-Present):

  • The Penguins rank 133rd in steals per game (6.5) while the Bears rank 244th (5.3).
  • Youngstown State ranks 159th in blocks per game (3.3) while Northern Colorado ranks 244th (2.5).
  • Northern Colorado averages 25.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 19th in the nation. Youngstown State ranks 262nd in three pointers allowed per game (23.3).
  • The Bears rank 97th in rebounds per game (37.3) while the Penguins rank 324th in rebounds allowed per game (40.6).
  • Northern Colorado ranks 91st in assists allowed per game (12.3) while Youngstown State ranks 307th (16.5).