A key college battle sees the visiting South Dakota State Jackrabbits travelling to IUPU Fort Wayne Thursday to take on the Mastodons.

The Mastodons currently sports a 10-14 record overall in NCAAB action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 7-11 ATS. The Jackrabbits are 18-6 and 11-9 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Mastodons produce a 6-7-1 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Jackrabbits have gone 8-8-1 against the number.



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

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 6.5-point favorites in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Mastodons, most recently No. 233 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Jackrabbits, who rate No. 111 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 75-67 victory for the Jackrabbits.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Jackrabbits is ranked No. 186 in NCAA hoops at 34.6 per game. Contrast that with IUPU Fort Wayne’s No. 181 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, IUPU Fort Wayne is the No. 178-ranked team in the country at 6.1 per game, while South Dakota State rates No. 48 at 7.6 per game.

Defensively, South Dakota State features the nation's No. 155-rated defense on the road, allowing 68.9 points per game. IUPU Fort Wayne, meanwhile, comes in at No. 134 nationally in scoring at home.

South Dakota State was an 88-57 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against UMKC. They covered the 18-point spread as favorites. The battle between the Jackrabbits and Kangaroos didn’t turn out to be much of a battle at all as UMKC was handed an 88-57 defeat on Saturday at Frost Arena.

IUPU Fort Wayne was an 86-79 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Nebraska Omaha. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Frank Gaines was dynamite, scoring 32 points and adding 9 rebounds but Nebraska Omaha still won, 86-79, over IUPU Fort Wayne on Thursday at Ralston Sports and Event Center.

Next up:
South Dakota State at Oakland, Saturday, February 9
IUPU Fort Wayne home to North Dakota State, Saturday, February 9