North Dakota vs Nebraska Omaha Prediction 1/8/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks and the Omaha Mavericks meet Thursday in college basketball action from Baxter Center. Here’s a North Dakota vs Omaha prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best North Dakota vs Omaha pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks Betting Preview

North Dakota only managed to win three of their first 11 games this year. Those victories came against Mayville State, UC Riverside and Western Illinois. The next seven games were a much better 5-2 run featuring wins over Crown College, Winthrop, Dakota State, Oral Roberts and South Dakota State. That gives the Fighting Hawks an 8-10 overall record in 18 games this year.

In the South Dakota State matchup on Saturday, the Hawks entered the second half with a 50-45 lead. North Dakota gave away that lead eventually but would take the win in overtime 90-87. Greyson Uelmen led the way on 17 points with four rebounds and three assists while Anthony Smith had 16 points with five assists and four rebounds. Zach Kraft added 14 points as well.

Omaha Mavericks Betting Preview

Over on the Mavericks’ side, they limped to a 3-7 overall record in their first 10 outings. Omaha could only beat Southern Utah, Concordia-Nebraska and Mid-America Christian during that time. After wins over Portland State, Diane, York College Nebraska and Lamar, the Mavs fell to Oregon, South Dakota State and Kansas City, giving the team a 7-10 overall record this year.

In the Kansas City game on Saturday the Mavericks left the locker room with a 32-28 deficit. Omaha didn’t end up getting any closer than that on a 41-38 run from there and took the loss in the end 73-66. Paul Djobet was tops on 16 points with eight rebounds and four assists while Grant Stubblefield had 14 points with three rebounds and two assists in the losing effort.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks @ Omaha Mavericks Betting Trends: January 8, 2026

Why the Omaha Mavericks will win

• Omaha has won nine of its last 10 games against Conference opponents at Baxter Arena.
• North Dakota has lost seven of its last eight night games against Conference opponents.
• North Dakota has lost the first half in four of its last five night games against the Summit League.

Why the North Dakota Fighting Hawks will win

• North Dakota has won five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Omaha has lost each of its last three games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

North Dakota vs Omaha Prediction

I’ll stick with North Dakota. The Hawks are coming off an overtime win at home versus a middling South Dakota State team, shooting 46.3 percent from the field with 16-of-18 (88.9 percent) from the line and a 37-28 rebounding edge. North Dakota did give up 48.3 percent shooting on the other side, though. The Hawks have scored 72 or more points in every win so far this year; if they can reach that threshold in this one, North Dakota will be in good shape for a potential victory.

As for Omaha, they shot well (48.1 percent) from the field versus Kansas City but also coughed up 15 turnovers and missed a few free throws (7-of-11 for 63.6 percent). That gives the Mavericks three straight defeats, and they’ve been unable to reach 70 points in any of those losses.

Andrew Jett's Pick: North Dakota Fighting Hawks +6