Vegas Play of the Day: Montana State at Montana

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, March 3, 2014 | 10 a.m.

Here’s the latest installment of the Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point.

Our three sports writers started with a $10,000 bankroll — fictional, of course.

Montana State at Montana total points over 133.5: $550 to win $500 : I can’t resist playing college basketball games over the point total in rivalry contests such as Montana-Montana State, especially at the end of the season when teams are desperate for wins. That usually translates into a heavy dose of fouls at the end of games to extend play, or possibly a team’s season.

Montana beat Montana State 70-66 on Feb. 3, which indicates the game should land right around the total this time around. The teams combined for 38 attempts on 3-pointers during the last meeting, but both teams struggled to make shots in combining to make 11 of 38 on 3s. If a few of those fall, the total could have reached 150.

I’m optimistic that will happen this time because Montana, which is a minus-9.5 favorite, is 22nd nationally in field goal percentage. They should control the tempo.

Standings: Bern (14-7, $11,790), Keefer (7-9, $8,897), Brewer (5-10-3, $6,910)

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.