The Leathernecks will try to cover the spread at Western Hall on Thursday when they get a visit from the North Dakota State Bison in college basketball action.

The Bison will try to spoil to the party on Thursday; they are 3-0 ATS against the number this season, while the Leathernecks are 0-0 ATS. North Dakota State is 0-3 on the totals; Western Illinois is 0-0.



View North Dakota State vs Western Illinois Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 14-ranked Leathernecks and the No. 110-rated Bison in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 82-68 win for the Bison on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Western Illinois's No. 231-ranked scoring average of 65.5 PPG, against a Bison defense rated No. 83 and allowing 62 PPG. The Leathernecks FG% has averaged 46.9% to date this season, less than the Bison shooters have managed so far (48.8% per game).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, North Dakota State owns the country's No. 49-rated mark, allowing 60.3 points per game on the highway. Western Illinois, on the other hand, rates No. 36 in scoring at home.

North Dakota State was a 78-65 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Fresno State. Marshall Bjorklund scored 27 points and helped out with 14 rebounds for North Dakota State on Saturday, leading the Bison to a 78-65 victory over Fresno State at Bison Sports Arena.

In their last action, Western Illinois was a 65-62 Sportsbook on the road against North Dakota. The Leathernecks got 17 points from Terell Parks as Western Illinois ran past North Dakota 65-62 on Saturday at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Next up:
North Dakota State at IUPUI, Saturday, December 3
Western Illinois home to South Dakota State, Saturday, December 3