The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks are set to face the Drake Bulldogs in an exciting college basketball matchup in Sioux Falls, SD, with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, available for streaming on YouTube. The game sees Drake favored by 9 points on the spread and a moneyline of -500, with the over/under set at 145 points.
As the teams prepare to take the court, the focus turns to the predictions for this intriguing clash. Predictions suggest that the best bet might be on the total points to go under, with many analysts leaning towards a score lower than 146 due to both teams’ recent overhauls in their rosters.
Northern Arizona enters the season after a notable rise from 14 wins to 18 wins last year and a postseason appearance. However, the team faces significant changes as they’ve lost eight key contributors who played an integral part in their previous campaigns. The Lumberjacks are looking to reload with new talent, relying on key transfers and promising freshmen recruits, particularly Traivar Jackson, who is expected to make a significant impact. Success for Northern Arizona hinges on establishing strong guard play while minimizing turnovers and fostering teamwork within their new system.
On the other side, the Drake Bulldogs come into the season with a fresh slate, following a surprising run in the NCAA Tournament where they showcased their talent as a Cinderella story. However, the departure of head coach Ben McCollum to Iowa and several players who followed him, such as Bennett Stirtz and Tavion Banks, has left their roster in a state of flux. New head coach Eric Henderson, who comes from a successful program at South Dakota State, faces the challenge of forming a cohesive team from the ground up. Known for fostering capable shooters, Henderson’s transition might be complicated by the need for the team to adapt to a completely new playing style and system.
As both teams adapt to their newfound circumstances, the matchup poses unique betting dynamics. The large spread, alongside the neutral site setting, indicates a significant motivation from Henderson, who has roots in South Dakota. However, betting on Drake to cover a 9-point spread could be risky given the uncertainty surrounding their roster.
With each team’s learning curve likely to result in a slower pace and potentially more missed shots than in the latter part of the season, expectations for a tightly contested game lean towards the under on total points. As fans anticipate this matchup, both Northern Arizona and Drake look to carve out their identities in what promises to be a compelling opener.