Utah State vs Portland State 12/21/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Portland State Vikings will travel to Dee Glen Smith Spectrum to take on the Utah State Aggies this Tuesday night in College Basketball action.

The Portland State Vikings lost their 3^rd straight game and dropped to 3-6 on the season after being defeated by the CSU Northridge Matadors, 69-66, this past Saturday night. Portland State fought back from a 49-34 2^nd half deficit to make it a game late, however, CSU Northridge was able to take the lead for good after a Brendan Harrick layup gave the Matadors a 65-64 lead with 1:45 left in regulation. Portland State shot 38.6% from the field & 27.8%from beyond the arc while allowing CSU Northridge to shoot 36.5% from the field & 31.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Vikings was Marlon Ruffin who had 26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.

On the season, Portland State is averaging 69.9 ppg on 40.1% shooting from the field. The Vikings are averaging 5.4 three-pointers per game on 25.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Portland State has been led by Marlon Ruffin (13.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), James Jean-Marie (12.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg), Michael Carter III (9.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg), & Khalid Thomas (7.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.9 spg).

Defensively, Portland State is allowing their opponents to average 66.0 ppg on 39.0% shooting from the field. The Vikings have a rebound margin of 4.0 and a turnover margin of 0.3.

The Utah State Aggies had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 8-4 on the season after being defeated by Iowa Hawkeyes, 94-75, this past Saturday. Utah State had no answers defensively for Iowa and could not fight back after the Hawkeyes took a 62-46 lead early in the 2^nd half. Utah State shot 49.0% from the field & 34.8% from beyond the arc while allowing Iowa to shoot 54.7% from the field & 30.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Aggies was Brandon Horvath who had 18 points, 6 rebounds, & 2 assists.

On the season, Utah State is averaging 79.4 ppg on 48.6% shooting from the field. The Aggies are averaging 9.7 three-pointers per game on 37.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Utah State has been led by Justin Bean (19.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.9 spg), Brandon Horvath (13.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 apg), Brock Miller (9.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Rylan Jones *8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.7 spg).

Defensively, Utah State is allowing their opponents to average 70.2 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Aggies have a rebound margin of 3.8 and a turnover margin of -0.3.

The Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss and just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss. The Aggies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.

Portland State has really struggled on the offensive end this season as the Vikings come into this game ranked just 318^th in FG% & 346^th in 3P-FG% and I don’t think the Vikings are going to find many answers going into a tough road environment at Utah State. This is a large spread, however, the Aggies have been outstanding offensively this season, ranking t-48^th in scoring offense, 39^th in three-pointers made per game, & 31^st in 3P-FG% and as I think they Utah State will be able to dominate on both ends of the court in this one, I think the Aggies do enough to win this one by 20 and cover this spread. Good Luck!