Bakersfield Roadrunners vs North Dakota State Bison NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/23/24

The Roadrunners and Bison are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bison will host the game at Scheels Center in Fargo, ND. The over/under for this game is set at 139 points, and North Dakota State is favored by -9.5 against Bakersfield in a non-conference matchup.

BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS VS NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON BETTING PICK

The Pick: Bakersfield Roadrunners +9.5

This game will be played at Scheels Center at 8:00 ET on Monday, December 23rd.

WHY BET THE BAKERSFIELD ROADRUNNERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Bison.
• Even though we have North Dakota State winning straight-up, we like Bakersfield at +9.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 139 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Can the Roadrunners Pull Off a Road Win?

The Roadrunners fell to 4-7 on the season after a 59-58 loss to Portland State on Saturday. Bakersfield, who were -4 favorites at home, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 117 fell well below the O/U line of 143.5.

Bakersfield led 30-18 at halftime but allowed 41 points in the 2nd half while scoring just 28. This collapse was a key factor in their loss.

The Roadrunners struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 58 points on 37.7% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 41.5%, and they hit only 21.1% of their three-point attempts, going 4-for-19 from deep.

At the free-throw line, Bakersfield connected on 82.4% of their attempts, making 14-of-17. They recorded 11 offensive rebounds and 8 assists, with Fidelis Okereke leading the way with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Isaiah Johnson added 14 points, while Jaylin Henderson and Cole Farrell chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Even with Bakersfield’s strong defensive effort, they couldn’t hold their opponent under 60 points, giving up 59 in this one. The Roadrunners limited their opponent to just 37% shooting from the field, as they went 20/53 overall.

Bakersfield’s defense was particularly effective from beyond the arc, where their opponent shot just 4/19, or 21%. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 17 times, where they hit 14 of their attempts, good for 82%.

Will the Bison Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?

North Dakota State improved to 7-4 on the season with a dominant 98-62 win over Western Michigan on Sunday. Playing at home, the Bison entered the game as -8.5 point favorites and covered the spread with ease.

After leading 49-28 at halftime, NDSU matched their first-half output by scoring 49 points in the second half while allowing 34. The total points for the game reached 160, surpassing the O/U line of 144.

North Dakota State put up 98 points in their last game, shooting a scorching 69.1% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 85.5%. They were particularly strong from inside the arc, hitting 83.3% of their two-point attempts, while also connecting on 58.1% from three-point range, making 18 of 31 shots from deep.

Chansey Willis Jr. led the way with 22 points and 5 assists, while Jacari White added 19 points and 5 assists, hitting 4 of 6 from three. Jacksen Moni contributed 16 points and 7 assists, shooting 70% from the field. The Bison finished with 24 assists and just 3 offensive rebounds, struggling at the free-throw line, hitting only 4 of 9 attempts.

North Dakota State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 62 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 69% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they allowed 20 made baskets on 24 attempts, an 83% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, North Dakota State’s defense gave up 18 threes on 31 attempts, a 58% shooting percentage. They sent their opponent to the free-throw line 9 times, where they converted 4 shots. The Bison limited second-chance opportunities, allowing just 3 offensive rebounds.