South Dakota State vs Montana Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/4/24

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are visiting the Montana Grizzlies on Wednesday, December 4th at the Dahlberg Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs Montana Grizzlies Prediction.

Montana Grizzlies Preview

The Montana Grizzlies have a 5-3 record this season and are coming off an 83-75 win over Cal State Northridge. The Grizzlies are 2-4 against the spread, and 4-2 in over/under, while having a 5-0 home record.

Offensively, Montana is averaging 76.1 points per game, which ranks 188th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 73.1 points per game (253rd). The Grizzlies shoot 46% from the field (139th) and 27.9% from beyond the arc (340th). The Grizzlies shoot 69.6% from the free throw line (226th) and are grabbing 36.8 rebounds per game (187th).

Money Williams leads Montana in scoring this season, with an average of 13.8 points, while Joe Pridgen adds 13.6 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds. Montana will face St. Thomas following this game.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits Preview

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits have a 7-2 record this season and are coming off a 78-62 win over Dakota Wesleyan. The Jackrabbits are 5-2 against the spread, and 4-3 in over/under while playing their first road game of the season. 

Offensively, South Dakota State is averaging 80.6 points per game, which ranks 97th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 67.4 points per game (98th). The Jackrabbits shoot with 49.3% from the field (42nd) and with 34.5% from beyond the arc (156th). The Jackrabbits shoot 74.1% from the free-throw line (103rd) and are grabbing 40.8 rebounds per game (42nd).

Oscar Cluff leads South Dakota State in scoring with an average of 18.3 points and a team-high 11.3 rebounds, while Kalen Garry adds 11 points and 3.3 rebounds. South Dakota will meet Eastern Washington after this one.

Why the Montana Grizzlies will win

• Montana has won each of its last nine games at Dahlberg Arena/Robin Selvig Court.
• South Dakota State has lost each of its last four road games against the Big Sky Conference.
• Montana has won the first half in each of its last nine games at Dahlberg Arena/Robin Selvig Court against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will win

• South Dakota State has won 10 of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• South Dakota State has won the first half in seven of its last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Sixteen of Montana’s last 18 night games against non-conference opponents at Dahlberg Arena/Robin Selvig Court have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
• Eight of South Dakota State’s last 10 night games have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Montana ranks T40th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.9).
• Montana ranks 42nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (28.1%).
• South Dakota State ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.3).
• South Dakota State ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (57.0%).

South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs Montana Grizzlies Prediction

Montana is 5-1 in their previous 6 meetings against South Dakota State, and are 3-0 against the spread in their last 3 meetings. In this South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs Montana Grizzlies Prediction, South Dakota State is coming as -3 road favorites. South Dakota State is better both offensively, scoring 4.5 points more than Montana, and defensively, allowing 5.7 points less. The Jackrabbits are better all across the board, shooting way better than the Grizzlies, as they are a top-50 team both in field goal percentage and in rebounding, with Montana being a bottom-30 team in 3-point percentage. The value here lies with the road team, so pick the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and lay the -3 points on the road.