The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and North Dakota State Bison will clash at Thunderdome to begin the new season. UC Santa Barbara opened as a 1.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 138.5 points. Action gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
North Dakota State Bison vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Odds Preview
Neither team made the tournament last season. UC Santa Barbara went 6-22 in the regular season while North Dakota State finished 19-11.
Points at the line might be rare for UC Santa Barbara in this battle. The Gauchos ranked 341st in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.184, while North Dakota State ranked 74th in FTA rate allowed (0.215) last season.
The Bison had a respectable 19-11 straight up (SU) record last season, but had a hard time covering the spread (8-16-1 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas had a tendency to place the total a little low when North Dakota State is involved, as 72.0 percent of their games gone over the projected point total.
The Gauchos, meanwhile, were 6-22 SU and 9-14-1 ATS last season. Of UC Santa Barbara’s 24 games that accepted bets last season, 18 finished under the projected point total.
North Dakota State Bison vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – North Dakota State, ATS Winner – North Dakota State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bison rank 149th in rebounds allowed per game (34.9) while the Gauchos rank 262nd (37.5).
- North Dakota State ranks 105th in blocks per game (3.7) while UC Santa Barbara ranks 256th (2.1).
- The Bison average 21.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 167th in the NCAA. The Gauchos rank 295th in three pointers allowed per game (24.9).
- North Dakota State ranks 175th in assists allowed per game (13.6) while UC Santa Barbara ranks 291st (16.0).
