Montana vs Arkansas State Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/25/24

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving Arkansas State

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving Montana

• Recent betting trends in games played between Arkansas State and Montana

• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Montana vs Arkansas State game

Montana Grizzlies Betting Preview

The Grizzlies got off to a rough start over their first half-dozen games this year, but since then they haven’t lost consecutive outings. Montana finished off the year with a couple of wins over Idaho and Idaho State, then took out Portland State and Idaho State in the conference tournament before a loss to Montana State.

In their last matchup versus Presbyterian in CBI activity on Sunday, the Grizzlies eked out an overtime win. Montana scored 37 points in the first, 32 in the second and 13 in the extra period for an 82-79 result. Aanen Moody was the team’s top scorer on 34 points with six boards and five assists.

Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Preview

Over on the Arkansas State side, they were sitting at 10-14 back in early February. The Red Wolves rattled off six straight wins after that, but would fall to Appalachian State in the final game of the regular season. After wins over Louisiana and App State in the conference tourney, Arkansas State lost to James Madison.

Back on Saturday versus Bethune-Cookman, the Red Wolves were up 40-35 by the break. Arkansas State had to rally to hang on but ultimately emerged victorious 86-85. Leading the team in scoring was Freddy Hicks with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Montana Grizzlies Team Facts

• Montana has won each of its last eight games against non-Conference opponents.
• Fifteen of Montana's last 17 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 157 or fewer points.
• Montana has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Arkansas State Red Wolves Team Facts

• Arkansas State has won each of its last seven day games.
• Six of Arkansas State's last seven day games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Arkansas State has won the first half in each of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Montana ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (80.0%).
• Montana ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.54).
• Arkansas State ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (16.3).
• Arkansas State ranks 355th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (76.4%).

Montana vs Arkansas State Prediction

I’ll stay with Arkansas State. You could call this one either way, though. The Red Wolves had a close call in their last outing versus Bethune-Cookman, but everything worked out okay in the end. Arkansas State ended up shooting 52.6 percent from the field but only 3-of-12 (25 percent) from 3-point range and 23-of-37 (62.2 percent) from the line. The 15 turnovers didn’t help either. The Red Wolves need to play a much cleaner game on Monday.

As for Montana, I could see them doing well here also. The Grizzlies shot a nice 51.6 percent from the field with 41 rebounds in their win over Presbyterian. That said, Montana also coughed up 16 turnovers for 24 Hose points. I like a cleaner effort on Monday in a fairly tight game. Should be a fun one to watch. The winner will face High Point vs Cleveland State in the next round.