Howard Bison vs Davidson Wildcats Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 2

Davidson is unbeaten at Belk Arena, but Howard won 24 games last season and brings a scorer in Cedric Taylor III who can keep a road game close.

The Matchup

Howard visits Davidson on Saturday at John M. Belk Arena in Davidson, on ESPN+, with Davidson favored by 9.5 points, a total of 141.5, and no moneyline posted. Davidson is 3-0 and defends its quirky home floor with discipline, and Howard is 2-2 with a star scorer and a strong program history that this spread may be underrating.

Davidson scores 75.3 points a game and allows 60.7, the Wildcats' usual formula executed well. Nick Janowski leads them at 19.3 points a game, and Ian Platteeuw leads them at 11.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game, a big man who anchors everything at both ends. Davidson shoots 48 percent and turns the ball over just 10.3 times a game. Janowski and Platteeuw carry no injury designations.

Howard scores 74.0 points a game and allows 73.8. Cedric Taylor III leads the Bison at 18.0 points a game, James Brown leads them at 6.8 rebounds a game, and Cam Gillus hands out 3.8 assists a game. Taylor, Brown, and Gillus carry no injury designations. The caveat is that Howard's recent history is stronger than its start: the Bison won 24 games last season while allowing just 69.1 a game, a proven defensive team whose current numbers, 73.8 allowed, undersell it, while Davidson's own last season, 20 wins with 72.0 scored and 67.9 allowed, says the Wildcats' early defensive dominance is an exaggeration of a good trait rather than a new one.

Key Factors

Platteeuw against Brown inside frames the night. At 11.7 rebounds a game Platteeuw is the best rebounder on the floor by a wide margin, and Davidson's offense runs through his passing at the elbows. Howard's answer has to be collective: Brown at 6.8 a game cannot match him alone, and if the Bison send help inside, Janowski at 19.3 a game punishes it from the perimeter.

Howard's path to the cover is Taylor and tempo control together. Taylor at 18.0 points a game can match Janowski basket for basket, and a Bison team that won 24 games last season knows how to shorten a road game. The total is 141.5, priced for Davidson's pace, and every slow, defended possession moves the game toward the underdog's comfort zone and away from a double digit margin.

The honest counterpoint is Belk Arena and Davidson's discipline together. The Wildcats turn it over 10.3 times a game, shoot 48 percent, and rarely beat themselves at home, and Howard gives the ball away 14.0 times a game with a defense that has not yet matched last season's standard. If Davidson's system grinds out its usual home game, the favorite covers late at the free throw line.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.