North Dakota State vs. Arizona Odds
| North Dakota State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16 -105 | 140 -110o / -110u | +800 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16 -115 | 140 -110o / -110u | -1375 |
North Dakota State will take on Arizona as part of the Roman Main Event. This will be the second-ever meeting between the programs. The Wildcats won the first meeting 83-53 back in 2017.
North Dakota State comes into this one at 2-1 while Arizona is 2-0. The Bisons will be playing on the second end of a back-to-back while Arizona has been off since Friday.
North Dakota State and Arizona both have deep and talented frontcourts. That could make it difficult for both teams to score.
North Dakota State Bison
After an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 and a co-Summit League regular-season championship in 2020, 2021 was a bit of a down year for North Dakota State.
However, the Bisons still finished third in the Summit League in the regular season and were a game away from the NCAA Tournament. The Bisons lost to Cinderella Oral Roberts in the Summit League Conference Championship game.
Due to the free year of eligibility given out by the NCAA, North Dakota State was able to return many key contributors from last year's team.
Forward Rocky Kreuser, guard/forward Sam Griesel and guard Tyree Eady were all double digit scorers for the Bisons last season. Kreuser led the way with 15.7 points and 7 rebounds per game. He is averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds through the first three games this season.
Forward/center Grant Nelson was the Summit League Freshman of the Year and he has upped his averages from 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds to 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game this season.
True freshman forward Andrew Morgan is the highest-rated recruit to ever sign with North Dakota State. He is averaging four points per game thus far and provides quality depth behind Kreuser and Nelson.
Arizona Wildcats
After a self-imposed postseason ban last season, Arizona will be looking to get back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
The Wildcats are off to a good start with dominant wins over Northern Arizona and UT Rio Grande Valley. The program had a lot of offseason turnover with a new head coach (Tommy Lloyd) and players both leaving and entering the program via the transfer portal.
Sophomore forward Azuolas Tubelis was a preseason All-Pac 12 honoree after averaging 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year. He is averaging 16.5 points on incredible efficiency, shooting 76.5% from the field.
He is joined on the interior by center by Christian Koloko, who appears to have taken a big leap this season. He is averaging 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and five blocks per game thus far. He is also the first Arizona player in the last 25 years to have at least 10 blocked shots through his first two games.
Guard/forward Dalen Terry is an explosive athlete and he seems like a threat to drop a triple double at some point this season. He is averaging 7.5 points, five rebounds and six assists through the first two games.
Sixth-year grad transfer Justin Kier brings experience, defensive versatility and perimeter shooting to the table. Along with guards Kerr Kriisa and Pelle Larsson, the Wildcats will be able to space the floor. Kriisa is averaging 13 points per game on 43.8% shooting from three thus far.
North Dakota State vs. Arizona Betting Pick
Arizona has been dominant through its first two games, however, it has played two bottom feeders. Northern Arizona and UT Rio Grande Valley are both ranked in the 300's, according to KenPom.
North Dakota State is a top-25 mid-major program and will be a step up in competition for Arizona. North Dakota State barley lost to UNLV, 64-62, last night.
I think NDSU will be able to cover +16.5, however, with travel and a quick turnaround, I wonder how much it will have in the tank tonight.
Instead, I am looking at the under. Arizona has put the clamps down defensively this season and ranks 11th in points allowed and fifth in defensive rating.
North Dakota State is averaging 70 points per game through its first three games. It also ranks 331st in adjusted tempo and 306th in average possession. Its first three games have had an average of 125 points.
While NDSU will try to slow the game, it also has the personnel to slow down Arizona's offense.
North Dakota State's average height is 6-foot-6 while Arizona's is 6-foot-7. The Bisons have the size and athleticism to switch any position and challenge shots from the perimeter.
Kreuser, Nelson, and Morgan are all 6-foot-10 and provide rim protection on the interior. It will be fun to watch them battle Tubelis and Koloko, along with reserve Oumar Ballo. It could lead to a lot of blocked shots and a lower scoring game.
