College Basketball: UC Riverside at North Dakota

UC Riverside heads to Grand Forks for a tricky opener after a full roster overhaul. New coach Gus Angenal inherits last year’s identity—take care of the ball, pound the offensive glass—but he’ll need time to rebuild those habits on the road. The Highlanders won 21 games with physicality and low turnovers; with so many new pieces, early-season timing and roles are obvious questions, especially after a long flight and a hostile gym.

North Dakota isn’t a world-beater, but the Fighting Hawks bring carryover and cohesion. That usually shows up in November: cleaner actions, fewer giveaways, and better late-game spacing. Home court in the Betty (plus travel fatigue for UCR) nudges the edges toward UND.

The market agrees. North Dakota opened +1, swung to -2.5, and has settled around -2. That movement reflects matchup realities more than hype. With chemistry and venue advantages, North Dakota -2 is the play—grab the -2 before it ticks back up.