Idaho vs Northern Colorado 1/20/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Northern Colorado Bears will travel to ICCU Arena to take on the Idaho Vandals this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Northern Colorado Bears had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 8-8 on the season after being defeated by the Sacramento State Hornets, 85-71, on January 8^th. Northern Colorado struggled defensively against Sacramento State and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 46-28 margin. Northern Colorado shot 42.6% from the field & 20.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Sacramento State to shoot 53.4% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Daylen Kountz who had 25 points, 2 rebounds, & 3 assists.

On the season, Northern Colorado is averaging 75.3 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 10.6 three-pointers per game on 37.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Colorado has been led by Daylen Kountz (19.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg), Matt Johnson II (13.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.6 apg), Bodie Hume (10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Kur Jongkuch (9.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.6 apg).

Defensviely, Northern Colorado is allowing their opponents to average 75.2 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 0.2 and a turnover margin of -2.6.

The Idaho Vandals lost their 5^th straight game and dropped to 3-13 on the season after being defeated by the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 74-72, this past Monday. Idaho was able to fight back from a 54-45 deficit midway through the 2^nd half to make it a game late, however, Northern Arizona was able to pull out the victory after a Jalen Cone layup with :44 seconds left in regulation gave the Lumberjacks the lead for good. Idaho shot 36.4% from the field & 34.8% from beyond the arc while allowing Northern Arizona to shoot 44.4% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Vandals was Trevante Anderson who had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 steals.

On the season, Idaho is averaging 74.2 ppg on 42.0% shooting from the field. The Vandals are averaging 9.1 three-pointers per game on 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Idaho has been led by Mikey Dixon (17.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.0 apg), Trevante Anderson (12.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.1 apg), Rashad Smith (10.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 apg), & Tanner Christensen (7.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 apg).

Defensviely, Idaho is allowing their opponents to average 81.5 ppg on 47.5% shooting from the field. The Vandals have a rebound margin of -3.1 and a turnover margin of -3.1.

Northern Colorado is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Thursday games & 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. Idaho. The Vandals are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games, however, are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 January games.

Northern Colorado has been led by their offense which ranks 103^rd in scoring offense, 11^th in three-pointers per game, & 47^th in 3P-FG%, however, the Bears have struggled defensively and come into this game ranked just 308^th in scoring defense & 295^th in defensive FG%. Idaho has also been led by their offense which ranks 127^th in scoring offense, 53^rd in three-pointers made per game, & 21^st in 3P-FG%, however, like Northern Colorado, have had issues keeping opponents off the scoreboard and come into this one ranked just 343^rd in scoring defense & 340^th in defensive FG%.

Northern Colorado is no doubt the better team, however, Idaho has been much more competitive than expected this season and has been great ATS. Northern Colorado is just 2-6 on the road this season and as I liked what I’ve seen from the Vandals this season which included competitive losses at Fresno State & Eastern Washington to go with an impressive home win over South Dakota State, I think the Vandals do enough in this one to cover with the points. Good Luck!