Montana vs Northern Colorado Odds, Prediction & Pick – Big Sky Title Game

• Northern Colorado is a 2.5-point favorite over Montana in the Big Sky Tournament Championship Game tonight
• The Bears are seeking their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011
• See my Montana vs Northern Colorado odds, prediction and pick, below

We’re in for one epic Big Sky Tournament Championship showdown tonight. The Northern Colorado Bears (25-8, 15-3 Big Sky) will battle the Montana Grizzlies (24-9, 15-3 Big Sky) with an automatic bid to the Big Dance on the line.

The Bears dominated Montana State 72-45 in the semifinals, while the Griz grinded out a 78-55 victory over Idaho. Oddsmakers are expecting a tight contest in the latest college basketball odds, with Northern Colorado listed as slim 2.5-point favorites.

Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. ET at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, with ESPN2 providing the broadcast.

Montana vs Northern Colorado Odds

Northern Colorado is currently a 2.5-point favorite, in a contest with a total of 146.5.

The Bears have covered the spread in four straight games per the college basketball team trends, while the Grizzlies have covered in eight of their last nine overall.

Northern Colorado is listed at -155 on the moneyline, with Montana coming back at +125.

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Montana vs Northern Colorado Prediction (Big Sky Championship)

This will be the third meeting between these Big Sky heavyweights. They split the regular season series, with each team winning on the other’s home floor. Northern Colorado blew out Montana 81-57 in Missoula back on January 11th, before the Grizzlies returned the favor with an 86-78 triumph in Greeley on February 6th.

The Bears enter tonight riding a six-game winning streak. They led the Big Sky in scoring at 80.8 points per game (35th nationally) on 50.9% shooting (18th). Northern Colorado likes to attack from the perimeter, ranking 89th in the country with 8.5 triples per contest. They feature a balanced attack, with four players averaging double-figures scoring. Leading the charge is senior guard Isaiah Hawthorne at 17.5 points per game.

Northern Colorado vs Montana Stats Comparisons

Not to be outdone, Montana averaged 76.5 points per game (105th) on a robust 49.1% shooting from the field (34th). The Grizzlies are led by Money Williams, who has 13.5 points per game. They don’t shoot it as prolifically from deep as their counterparts, but still connect at a 35.7% clip (99th).

These teams are pretty evenly matched across the board. Both rank outside the top-200 defensively in points allowed. Neither crashes the offensive glass particularly well. The biggest statistical advantage lies with the Bears and their perimeter shooting.

I’m backing the Bears to cut down the nets. They won the regular season matchup in Missoula by 24 points, and were in control throughout. When the Grizzlies got their revenge, it took a heroic 19-point effort from Williams to get it done. I don’t see him replicating that type of performance on a neutral floor.

Montana vs North Colorado Pick

• Northern Colorado -2.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Based on my Big Sky Title prediction, my best bet is Northern Colorado -2.5. The Bears are the deeper, more complete team in my eyes. They have a go-to guy in Hawthorne, but also the supporting cast to pick up the slack if he has an off night. The same can’t be said for Montana, who rely so heavily on the aforementioned Williams.

These teams are jockeying for seeding in a stacked Big Sky. With the conference tournament right around the corner, I expect the intensity to be ratcheted up. In a playoff-type atmosphere, I’m rolling with the squad that has more ways to beat you. Give me the Bears to cover this short number, and punch their ticket to the Big Dance for the first time since 2011.