Denver Pioneers vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Picks and Predictions for Friday March 6 2026
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The Denver Pioneers and North Dakota Fighting Hawks meet in the Summit League Championship Quarterfinal on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, and the game will be televised on Midco Sports Net. Both teams enter the tournament looking to make a run in Sioux Falls after finishing the regular season around the middle of the Summit League standings. According to DraftKings, Denver is favored by 3.5 points with a total of 160.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting insights and daily predictions.
Denver Pioneers Bring High-Powered Offense into Tournament
The Denver Pioneers enter the Summit League Tournament with a 15-16 overall record and an 8-8 conference record. Denver comes into the quarterfinal following the regular season and will look to carry momentum after strong performances late in conference play. In recent games, the Pioneers have recently won over St. Thomas, South Dakota, and South Dakota State while recently losing to Oral Roberts and Omaha.
Denver features one of the most explosive offenses in the Summit League, averaging 83.3 points per game while allowing 82.8 points per contest. The Pioneers shoot an impressive 48% from the field, while averaging 34.0 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. Defensively, Denver contributes 2.0 blocks and 4.6 steals per contest, but their high-scoring style often leads to fast-paced games where both teams generate plenty of points.
A key storyline entering the tournament is Denver’s reliance on Carson Johnson, who leads the team with 20.2 points per game and provides scoring consistency in high-tempo matchups. Gabe Oldham, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, gives the Pioneers a strong interior presence that can create second-chance opportunities. Denver’s offensive efficiency and ability to shoot nearly 50% from the field could become a major factor in a tournament setting where scoring runs can quickly swing momentum.
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North Dakota Fighting Hawks Look to Rebound
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks enter the quarterfinal with a 16-16 overall record and a 10-6 conference record. North Dakota closed the regular season with mixed results and will attempt to regain momentum in the Summit League Tournament. Over their last several games, the Fighting Hawks have recently won over Kansas City and South Dakota while recently losing to North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
North Dakota averages 77.1 points per game while allowing 78.2 points per contest, showing a balanced but sometimes inconsistent performance on both ends of the floor. The Fighting Hawks shoot 44% from the field and average 33.3 rebounds and 11.4 assists per game. Defensively, they generate 8.7 steals per game and 2.6 blocks, which highlights their ability to create turnovers and force opponents into mistakes.
Offensively, Greyson Uelmen leads North Dakota with 15.4 points per game, providing steady scoring from the perimeter and mid-range. Eli King contributes 5.3 rebounds per game, helping anchor the rebounding effort for the Fighting Hawks. North Dakota’s ability to force turnovers and turn defense into transition opportunities could be crucial against a Denver team that thrives in fast-paced offensive games.
Denver Pioneers vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Pick
Denver Pioneers vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Spread Pick
- Pick: Denver Pioneers -3.5
Denver’s offensive firepower gives them the edge in this matchup. The Pioneers average more than 83 points per game and shoot efficiently from the field, which could create problems for a North Dakota defense that has struggled at times this season. While North Dakota has shown the ability to generate turnovers, Denver’s scoring depth and pace should allow them to build enough separation to cover the spread.
Denver Pioneers vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks Total Pick
- Pick: Over 160.5
I like the over in this matchup because Denver consistently plays in high-scoring games, averaging over 83 points per contest while allowing nearly the same amount. North Dakota also has the offensive capability to contribute to a fast-paced scoring environment. With both teams capable of pushing the tempo and tournament play often producing offensive bursts, I expect this total to climb over the number.
Final Score Prediction: Denver Pioneers 86, North Dakota Fighting Hawks 80
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