The IUPU Fort Wayne Mastodons will hit the floor running against the visiting North Dakota State Bison Thursday, looking to improve their record and boost wagering bankrolls in the process.

The Mastodons are 9-10 so far on the season, and 5-8 ATS vs. the number. The Bison, meanwhile, are 13-6 and 9-5 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen IUPU Fort Wayne go 5-7 and the Bison go 5-7-1 on the totals.



View North Dakota State vs IUPU Fort Wayne Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Bison listed as 4.5-point favorites

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Mastodons - Bison odds would favor the Bison if the lines were set according to our power ranks. IUPU Fort Wayne is rated No. 255 in the current Odds Shark poll, while North Dakota State is at No. 66. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 81-68 win for the Bison.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up IUPU Fort Wayne's No. 110 nationally ranked offense (71.6 points per game) against a Bison defense that sits as the No. 129 at 65.1 PPG. The Mastodons have been averaging 44.7% from the field, less than the Bison have managed so far this season (48.9% on average).

Defensively, North Dakota State features the nation's No. 73-rated defense on the road, allowing 65.5 points per game. IUPU Fort Wayne, meanwhile, comes in at No. 80 nationally in scoring at home.

North Dakota State was a 91-88 loser in their most recent outing at home against South Dakota State. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Taylor Braun scored 28 points and chipped in with 12 rebounds for a double-double, but his team still lost 91-88 against South Dakota State in college basketball action at Bison Sports Arena.

In their last action, IUPU Fort Wayne was a 58-56 loser on the road against Southern Utah. They covered the 5.5-point spread as underdogs. IUPU Fort Wayne suffered a 58-56 loss against Southern Utah on Saturday, getting 19 points from Frank Gaines in a losing effort at Centrum Arena.

Next up:
North Dakota State at Oakland, Saturday, January 28
IUPU Fort Wayne home to South Dakota State, Saturday, January 28