Oakland (20-11) vs PFW (20-11)
Game Info: Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm (OU Credit Union O'rena)
Betting Odds: Oakland Golden Grizzlies -4.5 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Fort Wayne Mastodons and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies meet Thursday in Horizon League Tournament college basketball action from Athletics Center O’Rena. Let’s get into our Fort Wayne vs. Oakland prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Pick Dawgz.
Fort Wayne Mastodons
The Mastodons’ year kicked off on a 13-7 run through 20 games. After a sketchy 3-3 stretch in February, Fort Wayne has since calmed down with five wins in six games. Those victories came versus Detroit, Green Bay, Wright State and Robert Morris (twice) alongside a lone loss to Milwaukee.
In the tournament rematch versus Robert Morris on Tuesday, Fort Wayne came out of halftime with a dominant 46-28 edge. The Mastodons cruised on a 35-32 deficit the rest of the way and took the win 78-63. Quinton Morton-Robertson was tops with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Over on the Grizzlies’ side, they stumbled to a 6-8 run to open the year. Oakland has lost just three games since December 28, dropping to Green Bay, Northern Kentucky and Wright State. Their latest loss came February 25, but the Grizzlies closed out the regular season with a victory over Detroit.
Matched up against the one-win Titans on Saturday, the Grizzlies were in trouble with a 35-31 deficit by the break. Oakland got it going from there on a 44-35 run and took the victory 75-70, though. Leading scorer Blake Lampman put up 20 points with four assists and three steals.
ANDREW’S FREE FORT WAYNE VS OAKLAND PREDICTION
I’ll lean toward Oakland in this one, but you could make a case either way. The Grizzlies didn’t exactly look dominant in their last outing versus a struggling Detroit team but they eventually got things moving after a slow start. Oakland shot 49 percent from the field in that one but also gave up 48.9 percent on the other side. Still, there’s not much to complain about lately as the Grizzlies have scored 71 or more points in 10 of their last 11 outings.
These teams split the series this year with Fort Wayne winning 98-77 on the road December 2 and the Grizzlies getting their away game 71-63 on Valentine’s Day. The Mastodons didn’t shoot very well in that latest matchup (41.1 percent) and got out-rebounded 35-28. I like a closer game in this third meeting with Oakland eking out a cover. It’s probably a coin-flip outcome, though.
Andrew’s Pick Oakland Golden Grizzlies -4.5
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
Follow Andrew Jett on Twitter @PickDawgzAndrew