The Northern Colorado Bears will travel to Dahlberg Arena to take on the Montana Grizzlies this Thursday night in College Basketball action.
The Northern Colorado Bears improved to 17-13 on the season after defeating the Idaho Vandals, 98-94, this past Saturday. Northern Colorado was outstanding on the offensive end against Idaho and was able to hold off the Vandals for the victory after taking an 84-70 lead with 3:54 left in regulation. Northern Colorado shot 55.7% from the field & 44.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Idaho to shoot 55.6% from the field & 48.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Matt Johnson II who had 24 points, 2 rebounds, & 3 assists.
On the season, Northern Colorado is averaging 78.6 ppg on 47.8% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 10.6 three-pointers per game on 38.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Colorado has been led by Daylen Kountz (20.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 apg), Matt Johnson II (13.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.0 apg), Dru Kuxhausen (11.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Bodie Hume (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 apg).
Defensively, Northern Colorado is allowing their opponents to average 76.8 ppg on 46.0% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 0.6 and a turnover margin of -1.8.
The Montana Grizzles snapped a 2-game losing streak and improved to 18-11 on the season after defeating the Montana State Bobcats, 80-74, this past Sunday. Montana had no trouble generating offense against the Montana State defense and was able to hold off the Bobcats for the victory after taking a 69-56 lead with 5:55 left in regulation. Montana shot 51.0% from the field & 39.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Montana State to shoot 51.1% from the field & 12.5% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Grizzlies was Josh Bannan who had 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, & 3 blocks.
On the season, Montana is averaging 73.0 ppg on 45.4% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies are averaging 7.3 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Montana has been led by Josh Bannan (15.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg), Robby Beasley III (12.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.0 spg), Brandon Whitney (11.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg), & Cameron Parker (9.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.8 apg).
Defensively, Montana is holding their opponents to an average of 66.4 ppg on 43.4% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -2.9 and a turnover margin of 3.2.
The Bears are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 road games following three or more consecutive home games & 39-19-1 ATS in their last 59 road games. The Grizzlies are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games & 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games following a ATS win.
Montana is 14-1 at home this season, led by a defense that ranks t-92nd in scoring defense & 29th in turnover margin, however, this is a team that has struggled a bit as of late, losing 5 of their last 8 games which included a home loss to Northern Arizona. Northern Colorado is led by an explosive offense that ranks 29th in scoring offense, 25th in FG%, & 9th in three-pointers made per game and as the Bears are coming off impressive road wins recently against Weber State & Idaho, I think the play here is to take the Bears and the points. Good Luck!