Howard Bison vs. Norfolk State Spartans Prediction 3/11/23

The Howard Bison and Norfolk State Spartans will meet in the MEAC Championship on Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m. EST in Norfolk, Virginia. The Bison are favored by 2 points, with an over/under of 146.5. Let's take a closer look at both teams and see who has the edge in this matchup.

Howard Bison

The Bison have had a successful season, going 21-12 overall and 11-3 in MEAC play. They have been led by guard Elijah Hawkins, who is averaging 13.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game over his last 10 games. Howard is a well-balanced team, with four players averaging double figures in points. They are also a strong rebounding team, ranking third in the MEAC with 37.1 rebounds per game.

Defensively, the Bison are also solid, allowing just 69.9 points per game. They are particularly strong on the defensive glass, ranking third in the conference with 22.5 defensive rebounds per game. William Settle leads the team in rebounding with 6.4 per game, including 4.8 on the defensive end.

Norfolk State Spartans

The Spartans have also had a successful season, going 22-10 overall and 9-5 in MEAC play. They have been led by guard Joe Bryant Jr., who is averaging 17.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Kris Bankston has also been a key contributor, averaging 16.3 points per game over his last 10 games while shooting an impressive 69.3% from the field.

Norfolk State is a strong defensive team, allowing just 68.1 points per game. They are also a solid rebounding team, ranking fourth in the conference with 35.6 rebounds per game. Turnovers have been an issue for the Spartans, however, as they average 12.6 turnovers per game.

Betting Trends

According to OddsShark, Howard is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, while Norfolk State is 1-4 against the spread in their last five games. The total has gone over in six of the Bison's last nine games, but has gone under in four of the Spartans' last six games.

Public Betting Data

As of this writing, 57% of public bets are on the Bison to cover the spread. This could be due in part to their recent success against the spread, as well as their balanced scoring and strong rebounding. However, the Spartans are a solid defensive team that could keep the game close.

Odds

The Bison are currently favored by 2 points, with an over/under of 146.5. This suggests a final score of around 74-72 in favor of Howard.

Injuries

Both teams appear to be relatively healthy heading into the championship game. However, as always, it's important to keep an eye on any late-breaking injury news that could impact the game.

Prediction

This should be a closely contested game between two solid teams. Howard has the edge on the offensive end, with a more balanced scoring attack and a stronger rebounding game. Norfolk State, on the other hand, has the edge on the defensive end, with a strong overall defense and a knack for forcing turnovers.

Ultimately, the outcome of this game could come down to which team can impose their will on the other. If Howard can control the boards and limit turnovers, they should be able to get enough scoring from their balanced attack to win this game. However, if Norfolk State can force turnovers and limit second-chance opportunities, they could pull off the upset.

Pick: Howard Bison (-2)

Overall, we predict that the Howard Bison will win this game by a narrow margin. Their balanced scoring attack and strong rebounding should give them the edge they need to pull out the victory. However, with two evenly matched teams, anything can happen, and this game is sure to be an exciting one to watch.

In conclusion, the MEAC Championship game between the Howard Bison and Norfolk State Spartans should be a highly competitive matchup with both teams vying for the conference title. As fans and bettors alike tune in, they will be looking for an exciting game that showcases the strengths of each team. With our analysis and prediction, we hope to provide some insight into what to expect and help fans make informed decisions when it comes to betting on the game.