Bucknell Bison vs Radford Highlanders NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/8/24
Looking to win big? The Bison and Highlanders face off at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The Highlanders are hosting the game at Donald N. Dedmon Center in Radford, VA. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 134.5 points, and Radford is favored by -6.5 vs. Bucknell.
BUCKNELL BISON VS RADFORD HIGHLANDERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Radford Highlanders -6.5
This game will be played at Donald N. Dedmon Center at 2:00 ET on Sunday, December 8th.
WHY BET THE RADFORD HIGHLANDERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-67 in favor of the Highlanders.
- Not only will Radford pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 134.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Can the Bison Offense Score Enough on the Road?
Bucknell Bison Recent Game/Games
Bucknell fell to 4-6 on the season after a 64-47 home loss to St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. The Bison entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points of 111 fell short of the O/U line of 135.5.
Bucknell struggled early, trailing 38-16 at halftime, but showed improvement in the 2nd half, outscoring the Bonnies 31-26.
Bucknell’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 47 points on 36.8% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.1%, with a particularly rough performance from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 26 attempts for a 19.2% rate.
Free-throw shooting was also an issue, as the Bison connected on just 9 of 21 attempts, a 42.9% mark. Chance Moore led the team with 17 points, hitting 3 of 5 from three-point range and shooting 66.7% overall.
Defensively, Bucknell held their opponent to just 64 points on 36% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective in guarding the three-point line, where they limited the opposition to 5 made threes on 26 attempts, a 19% success rate.
The Bison also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 21 times, but they managed to convert only 9 of those attempts, shooting 42% from the stripe. Bucknell gave up 10 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can the Highlanders Pull Off a Home Win?
Radford improved to 7-2 on the season with a 70-67 road win over North Carolina Central on Thursday. The Highlanders, who entered the game as 3-point favorites, pushed against the spread. The total points of 137 fell just short of the 140.5 O/U line.
Radford turned things around after trailing 31-24 at halftime, scoring 46 points in the 2nd half while holding the Eagles to 36 points.
Radford’s offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 38.2% overall and 18.8% from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 of 16 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 40%, but they found success at the free-throw line, making 25 of 33 attempts for a 75.8% rate.
Perry Smith Jr. led the way, shooting 72.7% from the field and scoring 20 points, while Josiah Harris added 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Highlanders grabbed 18 offensive boards, but managed just 9 assists as a team.
Radford’s defense gave up 67 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 44% from the field on 24 of 54 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 18 of 36 shooting for 50%.
From three-point range, Radford’s defense held their opponents to 6 of 18 shooting, or 33%. They also sent the other team to the line 20 times, where they made 13 free throws, shooting 65%. Radford allowed 12 offensive rebounds.