Denver vs South Dakota Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/4/25

The Denver Pioneers are visiting the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, January 4th at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Denver Pioneers vs South Dakota Coyotes Prediction. We will examine:

The South Dakota Coyotes’ recent form and player performance

The Denver Pioneers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the South Dakota Coyotes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Denver Pioneers

Recent betting trends in games played between the Denver Pioneers and South Dakota Coyotes

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Denver Pioneers vs South Dakota Coyotes game

South Dakota Coyotes Preview

The South Dakota Coyotes have a 9-7 record this season and are sitting in the 7th place of the Summit League. The Coyotes are coming off a 54-68 loss to Kansas City. The Coyotes are 7-5-1 against the spread, and 10-2-1 in over/under, while having an 8-0 home record this season.

Offensively, South Dakota is averaging 86.6 points per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 80 points per game (340th). The Coyotes shoot 46.4% from the field (121st) and 32.3% from beyond the arc (263rd). The Coyotes shoot 69.8% from the free-throw line (230th) and are grabbing 37.3 rebounds per game (143rd).

Chase Forte leads South Dakota in scoring this season, with an average of 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a team-high 3.5 assists, while Isaac Burns adds 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds. 

Denver Pioneers Preview

The Denver Pioneers have a 6-10 record this season and are sitting on the 5th place in the Summit League. The Pioneers are coming off a 70-91 loss in South Dakota State. The Pioneers are 6-7 against the spread, and 6-7 in over/under, while they have a 1-7 road record.

Offensively, Denver is averaging 75.7 points per game, which ranks 186th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 79 points per game (332nd). The Pioneers shoot 44.6% from the field (215th) and 36.6% from beyond the arc (72nd). The Pioneers shoot 76.2% from the free-throw line (55th) and are grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game (353rd).

Nicholas Shogbonyo leads Denver in scoring this season, with an average of 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds, while DeAndre Craig adds 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Denver will meet North Dakota after this game.

Why the South Dakota Coyotes will win

• South Dakota has won each of its last 10 home games.
• Denver has lost 14 of its last 15 Saturday night games.
• Denver has lost the first half in each of its last 11 night games against the Summit League.

Why the Denver Pioneers will win

• South Dakota has lost five of its last six night games against the Summit League.
• Denver has won three of its last four games against South Dakota.
• South Dakota has lost the first half in five of its last six games against the Summit League.

Denver Pioneers vs South Dakota Coyotes Prediction

Denver is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against South Dakota, but the Coyotes are 6-2 against the spread in their last 8 meetings. Over is 5-1 in their last 6 meetings and in their most recent meeting last season, South Dakota won 92-86 in overtime at home, covering the spread and the game went over the total. In this Denver Pioneers vs South Dakota Coyotes Prediction, South Dakota is coming as -9.5 home favorites. South Dakota is better offensively, scoring 10.9 points more than Denver, while Denver is better defensively, allowing one point less. The Coyotes are winning by an average of 6.6 points this season, while the Pioneers are losing by an average of 3.3 points. The Coyotes have been perfect at home, and one of the strongest teams against the spread this season. I expect them to bounce back and cover the spread in this one. Take the South Dakota Coyotes and lay the points at home.