Northern Colorado Bears vs Washington State Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/18/24

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Bears and Cougars. The game is starting at 9:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Cougars at Friel Court in Pullman, WA. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this non-conference game currently have Washington State as the -11.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 158.5 points.

NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS VS WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Northern Colorado Bears +11.5

This game will be played at Friel Court at 9:30 ET on Monday, November 18th.

WHY BET THE NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Cougars.
• Even though we have Washington State winning straight-up, we like Northern Colorado at +11.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 158.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.

Can the Bears Lock in a Win at Pullman?

Northern Colorado Bears Recent Game/Games

Northern Colorado picked up a 78-69 win over South Dakota State on Thursday, November 14th. The Bears were +3.5 point underdogs going into the game, but not only won, they also covered the spread.

After leading 43-33 at halftime, Northern Colorado scored 35 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36. The total points for the game were 147, which was under the O/U line of 153.

Northern Colorado put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.2%. They were dominant inside, hitting 62.9% of their two-point attempts, while struggling from beyond the arc, connecting on just 31% of their threes (9/29). At the free-throw line, they were efficient, making 7 of 8 attempts for 87.5%.

Oscar Cluff led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 61.5% from the field. Isaiah Hawthorne added 21 points, though he hit just 2 of 9 from deep. Zach Bloch was a standout from three-point range, hitting 5 of 6, finishing with 15 points.

Despite Northern Colorado’s defensive efforts, they allowed 69 points while holding their opponent to just 32% shooting from the field. The Bears limited the damage from beyond the arc, with the opposing team hitting only 5 of their 27 three-point attempts, an 18% success rate.

Inside the arc, Northern Colorado’s defense saw their opponent shoot 40%, converting 18 of 44 two-point shots. The Bears also sent the other team to the free-throw line 20 times, where they made 18 free throws, a 90% rate. Northern Colorado gave up 17 offensive rebounds in the game.

Can the Washington State Offense Score Enough at Home?

Washington State Cougars Recent Game/Games

Washington State fell to Iowa 76-66 on Friday, November 15th. The Cougars were +5.5 point underdogs going into the game and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 142, well under the O/U line of 171.5.

Washington State led 36-33 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 30 points while allowing Iowa to score 43.

Washington State’s offense struggled from beyond the arc in their last game, hitting just 5 of 28 threes for a 17.9% shooting percentage. Overall, they shot 39.4% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 42.4%. Inside the arc, they were more successful, connecting on 55.3% of their two-point attempts.

Nate Calmese led the Cougars with 27 points on 12 of 22 shooting, though he made just 1 of 5 from three. Owen Freeman added 21 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 9 of 15 from the field. Payton Sandfort contributed 18 points, despite hitting only 2 of 10 threes.

Washington State’s defense gave up 76 points, with their opponents shooting 41% from the field. They allowed 17 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 48% success rate.

From beyond the arc, the Cougars’ defense held their opponents to 8 made threes on 26 attempts, a 30% shooting percentage. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 18, shooting 66%. Washington State gave up 10 offensive rebounds.