Many eyes in the college basketball world will be on Dahlberg Arena Thursday as host Montana looks to handle the Northern Colorado Bears in NCAA hoops action.

This season, the Grizzlies are 16-4 overall and 9-8-1 ATS ATS, while the Bears are 6-14 and 5-13 ATS against the number. As for the totals, Montana boasts a 9-5-1 on the OU, and Northern Colorado is 9-7.



View Northern Colorado vs Montana Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The Grizzlies were listed as 11.5-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the total was expected shortly.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Grizzlies, most recently No. 187 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Bears, who rate No. 256 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 75-67 victory for the Grizzlies.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Bears rank No. 196 in NCAA Division 1 with 34.4 per game. That compares with Montana’s No. 314 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Montana is college basketball's No. 75-ranked team at 7.2 per game, while the Bears rate No. 64 with 7.4 per game.

Defensively, Northern Colorado features the nation's No. 241-rated defense on the road, allowing 72.9 points per game. Montana, meanwhile, comes in at No. 117 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Northern Colorado, they were an 85-64 loser as they battled Weber State at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 4.5-point underdog. Northern Colorado was run off the court by the Wildcats on Saturday as Weber State routed them 85-64 at Butler-Hancock Pavilion.

Last time out for Montana, they were a 65-46 Sportsbook as they battled Eastern Washington on the road. They covered in the match as a 7-point favorite. The Grizzlies grabbed a 65-46 win over the Eagles on Saturday, behind a 13-point effort from Will Cherry at Reese Court.


Northern Colorado Bears Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-3
Before playing Montana State are 4-6
After playing Weber State are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Montana Grizzlies Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing North Dakota are 2-1
After playing Eastern Washington are 10-0
After a win are 10-0

A few Bears at Grizzlies trends to consider:
Northern Colorado is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Montana
Northern Colorado is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Northern Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Montana
Northern Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Montana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Montana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Montana's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montana's last 6 games at home


Next up:
Northern Colorado at Montana State, Saturday, February 9
Montana home to North Dakota, Saturday, February 9