Howard Bison vs Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/8/24

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bison versus the Bearcats? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, OH. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 140.5 points, with Cincinnati being favored by -27.5 over Howard.

HOWARD BISON VS CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Howard Bison +27.5

This game will be played at Fifth Third Arena at 2:00 ET on Sunday, December 8th.

WHY BET THE HOWARD BISON:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Bearcats.
• Even though we have Cincinnati winning straight-up, we like Howard at +27.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 140.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Can the Bison Pull Off a Road Win?

Howard fell to 2-5 on the season after a 79-75 home loss to Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday. The Bison, who went into the game as -7.5 favorites, were unable to cover the spread.

Howard trailed 36-34 at halftime and couldn’t turn things around in the 2nd half, scoring 41 points but allowing 43. The total points for the game hit 154, surpassing the O/U line of 139.5.

Howard’s offense put up 75 points in their last game, shooting 46.2% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 53.8%. They hit 56.7% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 31.8% of their threes (7/22). At the free-throw line, they made 20 of 27 attempts, good for 74.1%.

Carmelo Pacheco was a standout, hitting 6 of 8 shots, all from three-point range, for 18 points. Anwar Gill also added 18 points, while Dallas Hobbs contributed 17 points despite shooting just 31.2% overall and 12.5% from three. Terrell Ard Jr. was efficient, scoring 16 points on 4 of 6 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds.

Howard’s defense struggled, giving up 79 points on 46% shooting from the field. They allowed 56% shooting on two-pointers, with the opposing team hitting 17 of 30 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Howard held their opponent to 31% shooting, as they made 7 of 22 three-point attempts. The Bison also sent them to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 20 free throws for 74%.

Are the Bearcats Ready for a Home Win?

The Bearcats dropped to 6-1 on the season after a 68-60 road loss to Villanova on Tuesday. Cincinnati entered the game as 4-point favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 128, falling short of the 140-point over/under line.

Cincinnati trailed 37-28 at halftime but tightened things up in the second half, outscoring Villanova 32-31. However, their comeback effort fell short as they couldn’t overcome the early deficit.

Cincinnati’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 60 points on 38.3% shooting from the field. They hit 30.8% from beyond the arc, connecting on 8 of 26 attempts, and their free-throw shooting was also lacking, as they made just 6 of 11 for 54.5%.

Eric Dixon led the way with 31 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 47.8% overall and 42.9% from three. Jizzle James added 19 points and 5 assists, while Jhamir Brickus contributed 13 points and 9 assists, hitting 3 of 5 from deep.

Even though Cincinnati allowed 68 points, they struggled to contain their opponent, who shot 48% from the field. The Bearcats gave up 23 field goals on 47 attempts.

Defensively, Cincinnati allowed 8 threes on 20 attempts, with their opponent hitting 40% from deep. The Bearcats also sent them to the line 17 times, where they converted 14 free throws.