The North Dakota State Bison will travel to Moraga, California, to play against the Saint Mary's Gaels at the University Credit Union Pavilion. Both teams enter this game with a record of 1-0 for the 2027 regular season. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET.
In their previous game, North Dakota State secured a convincing win against Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles with a score of 90-59. Key performers for the Bison included Andy Stefonowicz, who scored 18 points and had 7 assists. Rob Diaz III also contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Saint Mary's Gaels, on the other hand, had a close victory over Illinois State Redbirds, winning 90-85. Mantas Juzenas led the Gaels with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas Ndong and Vangelis Zougris also played significant roles in their team's success.
Saint Mary's vs North Dakota State At a Glance
- Matchup: North Dakota State Bison vs Saint Mary's Gaels
- Venue: University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga CA
- Date & Time: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET
- TV & Streaming: ESPN+
- Saint Mary's Odds: Spread -12.5, MoneyLine -966
- North Dakota State Odds: Spread +12.5, MoneyLine +589
Saint Mary's Gaels Prepare for Another Intense Battle
Offensive Game Plan
The Saint Mary's Gaels average 90 points per game this season. They attempt about 67 field goals per game, shooting at a rate of 50.7 percent. Their offense shows strength inside the arc with 51 two-point attempts per game.
Three-point shooting remains an area needing improvement. With only 4 made threes per game, the Gaels have a 25 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Free throws, however, provide a steady source of points, averaging 18 made per game.
Defensive Strategy
Defensively, the Gaels have room to grow, especially in steals and fouls. They rank low in steals with just 12 per game and commit 20 fouls per game. However, they block shots well with an average of 2 blocks per game.
Turnovers are relatively low for the team, with only 11 per game. This discipline helps limit opponents' scoring opportunities. The Gaels' defense will need to continue this efficiency in upcoming games.
Key Players to Watch
Mantas Juzenas is a standout player for Saint Mary's. He averages 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, showcasing a strong presence on the court. Thomas Ndong is also vital, adding 18 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Vangelis Zougris contributes significantly with 16 points per game, hitting all his shots in the last game. Darius Bivins adds depth to the guard position, providing 11 points and 3 assists per game.
Injury Concerns
Injuries have impacted the Gaels lineup. Kevin Gad is out with a shoulder injury and remains sidelined. Jazz Gardner and Trent MacLean are also unavailable due to undisclosed injuries.
The absence of these players means others must step up. The team’s depth will be tested in their upcoming games as they adapt to these challenges.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
North Dakota State Bison Gear Up for a Thrilling Basketball Season
Offensive Overview
The North Dakota State Bison average 90 points per game. This figure places them at 80th in the rankings. Their field goal percentage stands at 53.6%, showing their ability to convert scoring opportunities.
The team takes 56 field goal attempts per game. This ranks them 257th in attempts, reflecting a focus on quality over quantity. They have an effective field goal percentage of 62.5%, which is 51st overall.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, the Bison average 13 steals per game, ranking 326th. Their blocks per game sit at 4, placing them 207th. This suggests room for improvement in their defensive presence.
The team averages 12 fouls per game, which ranks 28th. This discipline helps them avoid giving easy points to opponents. The team commits 13 turnovers per game, ranking 161st.
Key Players to Watch
Andy Stefonowicz stands out with 18 points and 7 assists per game. His field goal percentage of 62.5% highlights his efficiency. Rob Diaz III contributes with 12 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Melvin Bell Jr. scores 16 points per game. He also grabs 4 rebounds. His field goal percentage is 50%.
Injury Concerns
Melvin Bell Jr. is currently listed as questionable. His status is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. This could impact the team's depth in upcoming games.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
Saint Mary's vs North Dakota State Prediction: North Dakota State +12.5
Saint Mary's comes into this game as a favorite with a -12.5 spread. However, the Gaels have not covered the spread in their last game. Their offensive stats show strong inside play, but their three-point shooting remains weak.
North Dakota State shows a solid offensive performance with high field goal and three-point percentages. These stats suggest they can stay competitive against Saint Mary's. Their ability to score efficiently will help them cover the +12.5 spread.
Saint Mary's defensive metrics reveal they allow more points through fouls, which may benefit the Bison's free throw opportunities. The Bison's three-point efficiency could exploit Saint Mary's perimeter defense. With these factors, North Dakota State is likely to keep the score closer than expected.
Projected final score sees a competitive contest with Saint Mary's winning, but North Dakota State covering the spread. Expect a close game with Saint Mary's 82 - North Dakota State 75.
- Saint Mary's vs North Dakota State Prediction: North Dakota State +12.5
- Saint Mary's vs North Dakota State Score: Saint Mary's 82 - North Dakota State 75
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