Idaho State vs Montana 2/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Montana Grizzlies will travel to Reed Gym to take on the Idaho State Bengals this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Montana Grizzlies had their 4-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 15-7 on the season after being defeated by the Weber State Wildcats, 870-75, this past Thursday. Montana led by a 39-37 margin halftime however, the Grizzlies offense struggled down the stretch in this one and could not fight back after Weber State took a 73-67 lead with 3:00 minutes left in regulation. Montana shot 48.1% from the field & 41.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Weber State to shoot 43.4% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Grizzlies was Josh Bannan who had a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, & 1 assist.

On the season, Montana is averaging 72.5 ppg on 45.1% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 34.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Montana has been led by Josh Bannan (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.4 apg), Robby Beasley III (11.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg), Brandon Whitney (9.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), & Cameron Parker (8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.3 apg).

Defensively, Montana is holding their opponents to an average of 63.0 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -2.3 and a turnover margin of 4.1.

The Idaho State Bengals lost their 5^th straight game and dropped to 3-16 on the season after being defeated by the Sacramento State Hornets, 61-60, on January 27^th. Idaho State fought back from a 51-42 deficit to take a late 60-59 lead, however, Sacramento State was able to come away with the victory after Cameron Wilbon hit a game-winning layup for the Hornets with just :01 second left in regulation. Idaho State shot 50.0% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Idaho State to shoot 50.0% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bengals was Malik Porter who had 15 points, 8 rebounds, & 1 assist in 18 minutes from off the bench.

On the season, Idaho State is averaging 61.7 ppg on 39.9% shooting from the field. The Bengals are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 30.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Idaho State has been led by Tarik Cool (11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg), Austin Smellie (7.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.0 apg), Brayden Parker (7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Malik Porter (6.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg).

Defensively, Idaho State is allowing their opponents to average 71.9 ppg on 46.7% shooting from the field. The Bengals have a rebound margin of -3.5 and a turnover margin of -2.6.

The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400 & 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite. The Bengals are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 Saturday games & 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog.

Idaho State is one of the worst teams in College Basketball and have really struggled on both ends of the court as they Bengals come into this game ranked just 335^th in scoring offense, 329^th in FG%, & 251^st in scoring defense. Montana has won 7 of their last 9 games and has the Grizzlies defense, which ranks 37^th in scoring defense & t-15^th in turnover margin, should have plenty of success keeping Idaho State off the scoreboard, I think the Grizzlies do enough to cover this large road spread. Good Luck!