Northern Colorado vs. Montana State Prediction and Odds For Big Sky Conference Tournament Finals (Bears To Win It)
By Joe Summers
The 20-14 #3 Northern Colorado Bears take on the 26-7 #1 Montana State Bobcats in the Big Sky Conference Tournament Finals today at 8:00 PM EST.
Northern Colorado survived a scare against Eastern Washington before beating Portland State to make the finals while Montana State took down Sacramento and Weber State to get here.
These teams split the series in the regular season with each taking a close game by two points. The Bears have covered the spread in three of their last four and the Bobcats have won five straight.
Will Montana State get both a regular season and conference tournament championship or will the Bears play spoiler to seal a spot in the NCAA Tournament?
Let's check out the odds over at WynnBET to help us find value in this Big Sky Tournament Championship matchup:
Northern Colorado vs Montana State Odds, Spread and Total
Spread
- Northern Colorado +4.5 (-110)
- Montana State -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Northern Colorado: +165
- Montana State: -200
Total:
- 145 (Over -110/Under -110)
Northern Colorado vs Montana State Prediction and Pick
I wrote in my preview for the tournament that I thought the winner of Northern Colorado vs Eastern Washington was going to win and I'm not backing off that stance now. The Bears have won 10 of 13 behind an explosive offense that ranks in the 95th percentile over their last five games. They're in the 98th percentile in three-point shooting on the year and should take advantage of a Montana State defense that's 146th nationally in defensive three-point shooting percentage.
The Bobcats are strong inside but are in the 1st percentile in three-point shooting in their last five, so Northern Colorado will be able to pack the paint knowing Montana State can't beat them from outside.
Montana State is just 2-5 against the spread (ATS) over their last seven as a favorite while the Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last five as an underdog and won three of those outright.
This line is just too big for a team that is shooting as well as Northern Colorado is right now. Give me the Bears to stamp their ticket to the Big Dance with a Big Sky Conference Tournament championship.
Pick: Northern Colorado +165
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.