The Denver Pioneers (17-16, 6-10 Summit) battle the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (21-12, 12-4) on Tuesday in the Summit League Championship. Tip from Denny Sanford Premier Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the'Denver vs. South Dakota State odds, and make our expert'college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Cinderella run by 7th-seeded Denver continues after the Pioneers defeated the 6th-seeded Omaha Mavericks 66-63 on Monday night. Denver covered the 1-point spread as the Under (153.5) cashed. Senior G Tommy Bruner led the way for the Pioneers with 23 points, hitting half of the team’s 10 made 3-pointers. Denver also forced 13 Omaha turnovers. The Pioneers have never played in the NCAA Tournament in their school’s history.
The top-seeded Jackrabbits took care of business on Monday night, defeating the No. 4 St. Thomas Tommies 59-49 to cover the 3-point spread while the Under (141) cashed. South Dakota State’s top scorer G Zeke Mayo only produced 11 points, but he was helped by G Charlie Easily‘s 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. This would be the Jackrabbit’s 2nd trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last 3 years.
These 2 teams split their season series, each team holding home court. Denver won outright as a 3.5-point underdog 99-80 on Jan. 13. South Dakota State won and covered the 9-point spread 97-70 on Feb. 22. The Over cashed in both meetings.