The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and North Dakota Fighting Hawks meet on Friday in college basketball action at Denny Sanford Premier Center. Here’s a South Dakota State vs North Dakota prediction. This article will include a South Dakota State vs North Dakota Pick.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks Betting Preview
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (11-20, 14-14 ATS) finished the regular season with a pair of defeats to St. Thomas-Minnesota and South Dakota on the road. Before those losses, North Dakota lost to Omaha, UMKC, and Denver. The Fighting Hawks entered the Summit championship as the No. 6 seed.
North Dakota is averaging 77.3 PPG (97th) and is allowing 79.7 PPG (344th). The Fighting Hawks are getting 37.7 RPG (73rd) and dish out 12.2 APG (332nd). Treysen Eaglestaff is the team’s top scorer with 18.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Mier Panoam adds 13.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.5 APG, while Amar Kuljuhovic contributes 10.17 PPG and a team-high 6.7 RPG.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits Betting Preview
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits (20-11, 14-14 ATS) are in excellent form, having won ten of the last 13 games. Interestingly, one of those three losses came to North Dakota, while the other two were against North Dakota State and Denver. Prior to that L to Denver, the Jackrabbits beat UMKC and Oral Roberts. South Dakota State ended the regular season in 3rd place in the Summit Standings.
South Dakota State averages 79.9 PPG (49th) and allows 73.1 PPG (214th). The Jackrabbits are 17th in rebounds (40.1) and 168th in assists (14.1). Oscar Cluff leads the team with 17.3 PPG, a team-high 12.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG. Joe Sayler follows him with 13.0 PPG and 2.6 RPG, while Kalen Garry has 11.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.6 APG.
Why South Dakota State will beat North Dakota
- South Dakota State has won each of its last 14 night games against North Dakota.
- North Dakota has lost each of its last six night games.
- South Dakota State has won the first half in 11 of its last 12 night games against North Dakota.
Total Points Facts
- Eighteen of North Dakota’s last 19 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
- Each of South Dakota State’s last eight night games at a neutral venue has produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- South Dakota State ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (56.6%).
- South Dakota State ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (28.1).
- North Dakota ranks 20th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (63.0).
- North Dakota ranks 47th among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (13.2%).
South Dakota State vs North Dakota Prediction
South Dakota State has been dominating this fixture in recent history. The Jackrabbits won nine of the previous ten H2H duels, but the Fighting Hawks emerged victorious in the latest clash when they won 80-75. SDSU poured 109 points in a 109-73 victory earlier this season. That was the season-high for SDUS in points, while it also was North Dakota’s biggest defeat. We don’t even need the Jackrabbits to win by double digits on Friday. A nine-point victory will do it. I am backing SDSU to get a win and cover.