North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs North Dakota State Bison Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 8 2026
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The North Dakota Fighting Hawks face the North Dakota State Bison in the Summit League Championship Final on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM and the game will be televised on CBSSN. North Dakota advanced through the semifinal round to reach the championship game, while North Dakota State also moved through the bracket with a convincing semifinal victory. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for additional expert analysis and betting insights.
Fighting Hawks Battling Their Way to the Championship
North Dakota enters the Summit League Championship game with an 18-16 overall record and a 10-6 conference mark. The Fighting Hawks advanced to the final with a narrow 67-66 victory over St. Thomas-Minnesota in the semifinal round. Over their last five games, North Dakota has recently won over St. Thomas-Minnesota, Kansas City, Denver, and St. Thomas-Minnesota while recently losing to South Dakota State and North Dakota State.
The Fighting Hawks average 77.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score at a competitive rate throughout the season. North Dakota shoots 43.8% from the field and averages 33.4 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game. Defensively, the team produces 2.5 blocks and 8.6 steals per contest while committing fewer than 10 turnovers per game, showing a balanced approach on both ends of the floor.
In the semifinal win over St. Thomas-Minnesota, North Dakota relied on efficient scoring and timely defense. Greyson Uelmen led the offense with 28 points on an impressive 9-of-11 shooting performance and knocked down nine free throws. On the boards, George Natsvlishvili led the team with seven rebounds. Despite being outrebounded overall, the Fighting Hawks shot 50% from the field and forced St. Thomas-Minnesota into difficult perimeter looks, allowing them to survive a tight game and advance to the championship.
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Bison Enter Final With Dominant Semifinal Performance
North Dakota State comes into the Summit League Championship game with a strong 26-7 overall record. The Bison advanced to the final after a commanding 74-50 victory over Omaha in the semifinal round. Over their last five games, North Dakota State has recently won over Omaha, Oral Roberts, North Dakota, and Kansas City while recently losing to St. Thomas-Minnesota.
The Bison average strong offensive production this season while maintaining defensive balance. North Dakota State has consistently scored efficiently while holding opponents well below their own scoring average in many games. As a team, they have been effective shooting from the field and controlling the glass, while maintaining steady assist numbers and solid defensive metrics across the season.
In the semifinal victory over Omaha, North Dakota State delivered a complete performance on both ends of the court. Treyson Anderson led the offense with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Noah Feddersen dominated the boards with 13 rebounds. The Bison also controlled the rebounding battle 43-28 and held Omaha to just 30% shooting from the field. That defensive dominance and rebounding edge could prove critical again in the championship matchup.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs North Dakota State Bison Pick
North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs North Dakota State Bison Spread Pick
- Pick: North Dakota State Bison - Moneyline
North Dakota State enters this championship game as the more consistent and balanced team. The Bison have already defeated North Dakota convincingly in recent weeks and showed strong defensive form in the semifinal round by holding Omaha to just 50 points. While North Dakota has played tough basketball throughout the tournament, the Fighting Hawks had to survive a close semifinal and could be dealing with fatigue. With superior rebounding and defensive efficiency, North Dakota State has the advantage heading into the title game.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs North Dakota State Bison Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I like the under in this championship matchup because tournament finals often become defensive battles with both teams feeling the pressure of the moment. North Dakota State just held Omaha to 30% shooting and has shown the ability to slow the pace when needed. North Dakota also won its semifinal largely due to efficient shooting and controlled possessions rather than a fast tempo. With both teams likely emphasizing defense and careful shot selection, I expect this game to stay under the projected total.
Final Score Prediction: North Dakota State Bison 74, North Dakota Fighting Hawks 67
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