Montana State vs. Grambling State: 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament game: Montana State vs. Grambling State. And make sure to check out our 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Optimizer to take down your pools!
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2024 NCAA Tournament Odds & Picks: Montana State vs. Grambling State
Montana State NCAA Tournament Preview
Out of the Big Sky, five-seeded Montana State were put on the backs of Robert Ford III en route to an NCAA Tournament bid. The Bobcats’ guard scored 27, 19, then 22, respectfully, and he did so from everywhere on the court. What Montana State has going for it is momentum. Ranking fourth in the Haslametrics metric, two of their best games of the year came in the Big Sky tournament. Since February 29, the Bobcats went 5-1, ranking 115 in adjusted efficiency on Bart Torvik, that’s above teams like Clemson and Virginia, and only seven spots behind Kansas.
The problem is when Montana State faces elevated competition. Going 1-6 against top-150-ranked teams, the Big Sky representative had a defense ranking near the bottom 300 in the nation. That is mightily concerning, considering their offense on the year ranks outside the top 200 with one of the worst offensive rebounding percentages in the nation. The path to success is thin for Matt Logie’s squad. Montana State has made three straight tournaments now but the Big Sky rep hasn’t won a tournament game in over 15 years. It would take a true miracle for this team to make it out of the first round.
Grambling State 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview
On Saturday night, Grambling clinched its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament title with a 75-66 victory over Texas Southern. Offensively, Grambling is not considered a powerhouse. They struggle in offensive efficiency and often fail to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
While their defense is relatively stronger compared to their offense, Grambling doesn’t rank among the top defensive teams in college basketball. Additionally, they face challenges in rebounding, which allows opponents numerous opportunities to score off offensive rebounds. We have seen crazy things before but the Tigers making it out of the first round would be one of the crazier things.
2024 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Montana State vs. Grambling State
It can be really tough to figure out matchup angles when 16-seeds square off in the First Four. Neither team typically has success outside of their conference and either their conference isn’t well regarded nationally or they finished middle of the pack and got hot in the conference tournament.
For Grambling State, they’re one of the least efficient teams in the country on the offensive side of the court. They don’t shoot well, they turn the ball over a lot and they don’t get many assists on their made shots. In fact, Grambling hasn’t beaten a single Division 1 school outside of the SWAC all season.
On the other hand, you have a Montana State team that frankly could have been a 15-seed. Their biggest ding on offense is that they don’t rebound the ball well on the offensive glass, but this is negated by Grambling being one of the worst defensive-rebounding teams in the country. Montana State shoots the ball well, particularly from three at 36.4%. They’re the better team in this matchup and should move on to play the Boilermakers on Friday.
2024 NCAA Tournament Picks: Montana State vs. Grambling State
Bet: Montana State -3.5 (-115 via Bet MGM)
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2024 NCAA Tournament Sports Betting Picks
Now that the 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets have been announced, it’s time to make your sports betting picks to increase the excitement of March Madness. Let's take a look at the early odds and picks for the 2024 NCAA Tournament
EAST REGION
- UCONN v Stetson (1v16)
- Iowa St. v South Dakota St. (2v15)
- Illinois v Morehead St. (3v14)
- Auburn v Yale (4v13)
- San Diego St. v UAB (5v12)
- BYU v Duquesne (6v11)
- Washington St. v Drake (7v10)
- Florida Atlantic v Northwestern (8v9)
MIDWEST REGION
- Montana St/Grambling St PLAY IN
- Virginia/Colorado St. PLAY IN
- Tennessee vs. Saint Peter’s (2v15)
- Creighton vs. Akron (3v14)
- Kansas vs. Samford (4v13)
- Gonzaga vs. McNeese (5v12)
- South Carolina vs. Oregon (6v11)
- Utah St. vs. TCU (8v9)
SOUTH REGION
- Boise St./Colorado PLAY IN
- Houston vs. Longwood (1v16)
- Marquette vs. Western Kentucky (2v15)
- Kentucky vs. Oakland (3v14)
- Duke vs. Vermont (4v13)
- Wisconsin vs. James Madison (5v12)
- Texas Tech vs. NC State (6v11)
- Nebraska vs. Texas A&M (8v9)
WEST REGION
- Howard/Wagner PLAY IN
- Arizona vs. Long Beach St. (2v15)
- Baylor vs. Colgate (3v14)
- Alabama vs. Charleston (4v13)
- Saint Mary’s vs. Grand Canyon (5v12)
- Clemson vs. New Mexico (6v11)
- Dayton vs. Nevada (7v10)
- Mississippi St. vs. Michigan St. (8v9)
2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket Pool Strategy & Picks
Below we provide strategy, advice, and picks to create the optimal NCAA Tournament bracket. And be sure to use our FREE bracket optimizer to build a winning men’s NCAA tournament bracket and take down your contest!