Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Bears and Spartans. The game is starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Spartans at Echols Hall in Norfolk, VA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this Mid-Eastern conference contest is set at 147 points, with Norfolk State being favored by -12.5 at home against Morgan State.

MORGAN STATE BEARS VS NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Morgan State Bears +12.5

This game will be played at Echols Hall at 7:30 ET on Monday, January 29th.

WHY BET THE MORGAN STATE BEARS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-69 in favor of the Spartans.
  • Even though we have Norfolk State winning straight-up, we like Morgan State at +12.5.
  • The over/under is currently sitting at 147 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.

Do the Bears Have What it Takes in Norfolk?

Despite being 2-13 as an underdog this season, Morgan State enters this game as a 12.5-point underdog. The Bears are 6-14 overall and 2-2 in Mid-Eastern Conference play. They have won two straight games, including their most recent contest against Howard, 85-79.

On the road, Morgan State has gone 1-11 this season, and their average scoring margin in those games is -18.2. Over their last 10 road games, the Bears have gone just 1-9. For the season, they are 4-12 in non-conference games.

As the underdog this season, Morgan State has an ATS record of 6-8-1. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, they are 5-5 vs. the spread.

On the season, the over/under record for Morgan State games is 10-7 and today’s over/under line of 147 is very close to the average over/under line in their games this year (147.8). So far, 10 of their games have finished with more points than today’s over/under line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 161 points.

Coming off their recent game, the Morgan State offense tallied 85 points in a matchup against Howard. Their field goal percentage for the game was 54.4%, and they made 6 threes. Wynston Tabbs is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 15.3 as they approach today’s matchup. In addition, Will Thomas brings a PPG average of 11.5 into the game.

Currently, the Bears’ defense holds the 289th rank in the nation, allowing 79.0 points per game. In their previous game vs. Howard, the Bison finished with a field goal percentage of 54% and a total of 79 points vs. Morgan State.

Pressure Builds for Norfolk State as Home Favorites

At home this season, Norfolk State is 4-1, and they have won their last three games at home. Over their last 10 home games, they are 9-1.

Overall, the Spartans have a record of 13-8, and they have won their last two games. So far, they are 3-1 in Mid-Eastern Conference play.

As the favorite this season, Norfolk State has gone just 2-2 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Spartans have an ATS record of 5-5. At home, their ATS mark is 2-3 this year, and over their last three home games, they are 1-1 vs. the spread.

Today’s over/under line of 147 is higher than the average over/under line in Norfolk State’s games this season (138.5). So far, 12 of their games have finished with more points than today’s OU line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 0-2 and the average scoring total is 147 points.

In their recent matchup, the Norfolk State offense ended with 68 points against Coppin State. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 47.8% and made 0 threes. Jamarii Thomas is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 17. Meanwhile, Allen Betrand also brings a PPG average of 11 into the game.

The Spartans’ defense is presently ranked 77th nationally, allowing an average of 67.2 points per contest. In today’s game vs. Morgan State, the Norfolk State defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Norfolk State made 24 free-throws vs. the Spartans.