NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The Summit Conference tournament action heads to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls on Friday night for a high stakes matchup between the Denver Pioneers and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Tipoff is set for 9:30 PM ET at this neutral site venue where both teams look to erase the memory of recent blowout losses. Denver enters the contest as a 4.5 point favorite despite a 15-16 regular season record while North Dakota comes in at an even 16-16 on the year. The market has placed a heavy premium on scoring in this one with a total sitting at 160.5 points.
This game features two programs that have struggled with consistency lately but possess enough offensive firepower to make things interesting for bettors. Denver is coming off a massive 102-80 loss to Oral Roberts where their defense essentially vanished, while North Dakota is looking to bounce back from a 33 point drubbing at the hands of North Dakota State. Because this is a neutral site game in South Dakota, the environment typically favors regional teams like North Dakota, but the oddsmakers still view Denver as the superior side with a -180 moneyline price compared to the +145 return on the Fighting Hawks.
UP TO $250 BONUS BET
The Best Live In-Game Betting
21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Denver vs North Dakota Odds
Current betting lines reflect a moderate advantage for the Pioneers, though movement is expected as public money flows in closer to tipoff. It is always a smart move to monitor the latest college basketball odds to ensure you are capturing the best possible value on the spread or the total.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Denver | -180 | -4.5 (-108) | O 160.5 (-113) |
| North Dakota | +145 | +4.5 (-115) | U 160.5 (-110) |
Denver Betting Form
Denver lives and dies by its ability to fill the basket. They currently rank 44th in the nation in scoring, averaging 83.3 points per game, which is an elite mark for a mid-major program. Carson Johnson remains the primary engine for this offense, coming off a 22 point performance that kept the Pioneers competitive for at least a portion of their last outing. Shaun Wysocki provides the efficiency they need in the frontcourt, and his 83.3 percent shooting in the previous game suggests he is peaking at the right time for tournament play.
From a betting perspective, the Pioneers have been a reliable friend to gamblers this season. They have covered the spread in 58.1 percent of their games, and that number jumps significantly to over 76 percent when they are listed as underdogs. Since they are the favorites here, that trend might not apply directly, but it shows they play hard regardless of the market expectation. I think their 38.3 percent three point shooting is the real X-factor because when those shots fall, they can run almost anyone out of the gym. Be sure to check the Denver injury report before lock to make sure their rotation remains intact for this high tempo clash. You can find more historical data on their performance by checking out the Denver stats and results page.
North Dakota Betting Form
North Dakota is a bit more of an enigma lately. They are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games, which suggests they are undervalued by the market even when they aren’t winning games outright. Their recent 96-63 loss to the Bison was ugly, but prior to that, they looked sharp in a double digit win over Kansas City. Greyson Uelmen is the player to watch here as he has shown he can lead the scoring charge when the primary options are bottled up.
The Fighting Hawks average about 77.1 points per game, which is respectable but pales in comparison to Denver’s output. However, their 61.9 percent cover rate as an underdog is something that should make any Denver bettor nervous. They have a knack for staying within the number even when their shooting goes cold. Perhaps the neutral site in Sioux Falls gives them a slight psychological edge since they are used to the regional climate and travel. Before placing your bets, keep an eye on the North Dakota injury report to see if Smith III or Thomas are seeing increased minutes. For a full look at their season trends, visit the North Dakota schedule and stats section.
Denver vs North Dakota Matchup Breakdown
The tempo in this game should be blistering. Denver wants to turn this into a track meet to capitalize on their 48.1 percent field goal percentage. North Dakota has shown they can score in bunches, but their defensive efficiency has been a major liability during their worst stretches of the season. If this becomes a shootout, the advantage leans toward the Pioneers simply because they have more shooters capable of hitting from deep.
The rebounding battle at the Denny Sanford Premier Center will be critical. If North Dakota can limit Denver to one shot per possession, they can stay within this 4.5 point spread. Denver’s offensive rebounding isn’t their strongest suit, but their sheer volume of made baskets usually masks that. I think the turnover battle will also play a massive role, as North Dakota needs extra possessions to make up for the discrepancy in shooting percentages. Bettors who want to dig deeper into these conference tournament dynamics should consult a college basketball betting guide for more advanced strategies.
Denver vs North Dakota Predictions and Best Bets
I am leaning toward Denver covering the -4.5 spread in this spot. While North Dakota has been great at covering as an underdog, Denver’s offensive ceiling is just significantly higher. Carson Johnson is often the best player on the floor in these matchups, and in a tournament setting, I prefer the side with the elite scoring guard. Denver’s ability to shoot over 38 percent from three should be enough to stretch the North Dakota defense to its breaking point.
When it comes to the total of 160.5, I think the Under is actually the sharper play. It sounds counterintuitive given Denver’s scoring average, but tournament games at neutral sites often start with a bit of shooting rust as players adjust to the different sightlines of a large arena. North Dakota’s lower shooting percentages and the pressure of a win or go home scenario could lead to a more defensive oriented second half than the regular season averages suggest.
Ultimately, Denver has the offensive weapons to dictate how this game is played. I expect a relatively close game for 30 minutes before the Pioneers’ efficiency allows them to pull away for a six or seven point victory. The price on the spread is fair given the matchup.
Best Bet: Denver -4.5 (-108).
Follow proven NCAAB handicappers.
Beat the market all season long
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Finding an edge in college basketball requires more than just looking at a few box scores. The experts at ScoresAndStats analyze hundreds of games every week to find the best value. You can see today’s college basketball picks to compare your own leans against the pros who do this for a living. With conference tournaments in full swing, the volume of games can be overwhelming, making expert consensus even more valuable.
If you are looking for long term profitability, checking out the top sports handicappers is a great starting point. You can see exactly who is on a hot streak by viewing the handicapper leaderboard, which provides full transparency on every pick made. For those who want the absolute best information, you can premium NCAAB picks to get detailed breakdowns and high confidence plays delivered right to you.
