Bison vs Eagles Picks and Predictions – Saturday January 24, 2026
North Dakota State heads to Tulsa for a Summit League road game against Oral Roberts on Saturday, January 24 at 2:00 PM ET at the Mabee Center. It’s a big number for a conference road favorite, but it also reflects where these teams are right now. The Bison are 17-5 and have traveled well at 6-4 away from home. Oral Roberts is 5-16 and still searching for consistency on both ends.
This matchup is also a style check. North Dakota State wants points on the board and has enough shooting to stretch a defense. Oral Roberts has had trouble getting stops, and when the offense falls behind early, the game tends to spiral. That’s why the market is comfortable hanging -9.5 even on the road.
The total is set at 140.5, which is reasonable for a Bison team that can score in the 70s and 80s often. The over comes down to whether Oral Roberts can contribute enough to keep this from turning into a one-sided pace control game late.
North Dakota State Bison vs Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Odds
These are the current betting lines, but numbers can move quickly during conference play, so keep tracking the updated college basketball odds as tip approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State Bison | -447 | -9.5 (-109) | 140.5 |
| Oral Roberts Golden Eagles | +325 | +9.5 (-117) | 140.5 |
North Dakota State Bison Betting Form
North Dakota State is coming off an 82-77 win over Denver, and the offensive efficiency stood out. Shooting 50% from the field on the road is a good indicator of shot quality, not just a heater. When the Bison are getting clean looks early and spacing the floor, they put real pressure on opponents to match buckets.
The betting case for North Dakota State in a spot like this is simple. They can score in multiple ways and they lean into the three-point shot enough to create quick separation when the defense breaks down. With a strong season record and a solid road split, they’ve shown they can bring their offensive baseline into different gyms.
For a full look at recent scores and performance trends, start with North Dakota State stats and results. In a -9.5 role, the only real concern is whether they stay engaged for the full 40 once they get control.
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Betting Form
Oral Roberts is trying to bounce back after a 79-62 loss to North Dakota, and the main issue is that they have not been able to string together stops. Their offense can show flashes, especially at home, but the floor drops quickly when they’re forced into half-court possessions without rhythm.
The Golden Eagles have enough perimeter shooting to be annoying if the first few threes go down, and their free throw shooting is a positive in a game where they may need to manufacture points. The problem is the larger profile. A 5-16 record with uneven home results makes it hard to trust them to play clean basketball for long stretches, especially against an opponent that can punish mistakes with quick scoring runs.
If you’re tracking their home outputs and how often they’ve stayed competitive, the cleanest reference point is Oral Roberts schedule and stats. Their best chance to cover is to make this a volume three-point game and avoid getting buried on the glass.
North Dakota State Bison vs Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Matchup Breakdown
The pace question matters here because it affects both the spread and the total. North Dakota State is comfortable playing fast enough to create a bigger possession count, and they have the shooting to turn extra possessions into points. Oral Roberts has to decide whether to run with them or slow it down to limit damage. If they try to speed up without getting stops, it can get ugly.
Shot profile is where the separation usually shows. North Dakota State’s perimeter production forces closeouts, which opens driving lanes and keeps the offense from being one-dimensional. Oral Roberts needs clean three-point looks to keep pace, but those looks are harder to come by when you’re already chasing on defense and playing from behind.
Turnovers and rebounding are the swing factors on a number like -9.5. If North Dakota State takes care of the ball and wins the shot count with second chances, they can cover without needing a monster shooting night. If Oral Roberts can force live-ball turnovers and avoid giving up extra possessions, the +9.5 stays live into the final stretch.
Late-game foul dynamics matter too. Big spreads often come down to whether the favorite turns defense into free throws in the last three minutes, or whether the dog can extend the game and sneak in a backdoor. If you want a broader framework for how to handicap those end-game scenarios, the expert betting guide is a solid refresher.
North Dakota State Bison vs Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Predictions and Best Bets
I lean North Dakota State -9.5. The Bison have the more reliable offense, the better season profile, and they’ve shown they can handle road environments. Oral Roberts can make a push at home, but asking them to play clean enough on defense for 40 minutes is a big bet.
The spread is still a warning label because it’s a conference road favorite laying near double digits. That said, the matchup points to North Dakota State creating separation through shot quality and three-point production. If the Bison start well and don’t get careless with the ball, they can build a lead that forces Oral Roberts into low-percentage offense.
On the total, I lean over 140.5. North Dakota State can carry a big portion of the scoring, and the over cashes if Oral Roberts simply gets into the low 60s. The risk is that Oral Roberts stalls and the Bison take the air out late with a comfortable lead, but the number is reachable if this stays competitive into the final five minutes.
Best Bet: North Dakota State -9.5
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a full Summit League and mid-major card, start with the college basketball picks page to compare sides and totals across the board. When you’re betting bigger spreads, it helps to see whether the market is leaning favorite-heavy or whether dogs are getting respected in similar profiles.
If you like aligning with proven long-term performance, check the best handicappers and the current handicapper leaderboard. And if you want a bigger menu of positions and timing edges before numbers settle, you can also buy premium picks.
For staying organized by matchup and team, the NCAAB previews hub and the full college basketball teams hub make it easier to bounce around quickly. If you’re also comparing books and pricing, the sportsbook reviews can help, and the handicappers sites reviews are useful when you’re evaluating paid options. For broader angle-based reads throughout the season, the ScoresAndStats blog is a good companion.


