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Conference clashes persist as college basketball is in full swing. Read how Nick breaks down the matchup between Eastern Washington and Montana State, and finds a bet worth taking.
Greetings and happy holiday Monday, everyone! As we wind down an excellent sports weekend, we have one final Monday night hurrah.
In one of this weekend's biggest games, we have a clash in one of the nation's best dome arenas! Of course, I'm talking about the Big Sky matchup between Eastern Washington and Montana State.
Last year’s auto-bid winner, Montana State, has some work to do to repeat as conference champs and continually fill up the great Worthington Arena. Let’s take a look at how they can begin to right the ship in 2025.
Matchup: Eastern Washington vs. Montana State (-5.5)
Location/Tip-off: Worthington Arena, 9:00 p.m. EST
Led by junior forward Brandon Walker's 15.1 PPG, the Bobcats started Big Sky play on the wrong foot, dropping four of six, including a five-point loss at Eastern Washington. In that game, Montana State did control the ball and held its own on the defensive glass, two areas where Eastern Washington thrives.
However, its offense struggled, only scoring 19 baskets from the floor, its lowest output of the season. I have a hard time believing that result will repeat against Bart Torvik’s 266th-ranked defense.
See Spot Run
The stages of betting college basketball:
1. Transfer portal
2. Better roster vs worse roster <--we are here
3. Rebound and 3pt rate analysis
4. Spot Szn (my personal favorite)
5. Conf tournament dogs
6. Better roster vs worse roster (March Madness)— Dr Roddy (@Roddy_PhD) December 2, 2024
I put out this brain dump a while back and, according to me, we’re entering Stage 4, albeit early in the stage. Let’s take a quick look at the Eagles’ recent schedule:
Not to say that Big Sky teams aren’t used to the elevation but closing down a four-game road stretch in Bozeman, the seventh-highest home-court elevation nationally, has proved a difficult task. When you see a spot like this, you run to the betting window.
With the ability to neutralize Eastern Washington’s strengths, a good spot, and some due regression, I’m backing Coach Logie and the Montana State Bobcats at -5.5 and would play it up to -7. Enjoy your holiday, everyone, and best of luck if you come!
For all of my picks, follow me on X @Roddy_PhD, and best of luck tonight!
