Northern Arizona vs Montana 1/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Montana Grizzlies will travel to J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome to take on the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Montana Grizzlies improved to 12-6 on the season after defeating the Portland State Vikings, 66-64, this past Thursday. Montana was solid offensively in the 2^nd half against Portland State and was able to take the lead for good after a Robby Beasley III layup gave the Grizzlies a 64-63 lead with :55 seconds left in regulation. Montana shot 40.4% from the field & 36.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Portland State to shoot 49.1% from the field & 10.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Grizzlies was Josh Bannan who had 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Montana is averaging 73.3 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies are averaging 7.9 three-pointers per game on 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Montana has been led by Josh Bannan (12.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg), Robby Beasley III (11.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg), Brandon Whitney (9.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.3 apg), & Cameron Parker (8.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.8 apg).

Defensviely, Montana is holding their opponents to an average of 63.2 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -2.2 and a turnover margin of 4.3.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 6-10 on the season after being defeated by the Montana State Bobcats, 89-84, this past Thursday. Northern Arizona fought back from a 50-35 halftime deficit to tie the game at 79-all late, however, the Lumberjacks defense struggled down the stretch and could not fight back after Montana State took an 85-79 lead with just :28 seconds left in regulation. Northern Arizona shot 53.6% from the field & 57.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Montana State to shoot 49.1% from the field & 47.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way Lumberjacks was Jalen Cone who had 26 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 steals.

On the season, Northern Arizona is averaging 70.6 ppg on 42.6% shooting from the field. The Lumberjacks are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Arizona has been led by Jalen Cone (18.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.3 apg), Nik Mains (12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Keith Haymon (9.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Carson Towt (8.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.9 apg).

Defensviely, Northern Arizona is allowing their opponents to average 73.6 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Lumberjacks have a rebound margin of 2.3 and a turnover margin of -3.7.

The Grizzlies are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games & 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games & 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games at home.

Montana has been solid on both ends of the court as the Grizzlies ranks 149^th in scoring offense, 74^th in 3P-FG%, 45^th in scoring defense, & 16^th in turnover margin. Northern Arizona has been led by their three-point shooting which ranks t-71^st in three-pointers made per game & 19^th in 3P-FG%, however, the overall offense is ranked just 204^th in scoring offense and the defense has struggled as the Lumberjacks ranks just 285^th in scoring defense & 256^th in defensive FG%.

Montana is not nearly as strong of a team on the road as they are at home, but there is no question in my mind that they are much more talented than Northern Arizona. Northern Arizona is just 4-4 at home this season which includes double digit losses to Cal St. Fullerton & Eastern Washington and as I think the Grizzlies will be able to have plenty of success on the offensive end against a poor Lumberjacks defense, I’m taking Montana to cover this mid-range road spread. Good Luck!