Montana vs Idaho 1/27/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Idaho Vandals will travel to Dahlberg Arena to take on the Montana Grizzlies this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Idaho Vandals won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 5-14 on the season after defeating the Portland State Vikings, 84-79, this past Monday. Idaho was lights out on the offensive end against Portland State and was able to hold off the Vikings for the victory after taking a 74-68 lead with 4:31 left in regulation. Idaho shot 56.9% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Portland State to shoot 47.4% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Vandals was Mikey Dixon who had 27 points, 3 rebounds, & 3 assists.

On the season, Idaho is averaging 74.5 ppg on 43.1% shooting from the field. The Vandals are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 37.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Idaho has been led by Mikey Dixon (18.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.9 apg), Trevante Anderson (12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg), Rashad Smith (10.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Tanner Christensen (7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg).

Defensively, Idaho is allowing their opponents to average 81.2 ppg on 48.0% shooting from the field. The Vandals have a rebound margin of -2.9 and a turnover margin of -2.6.

The Montana Grizzlies won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 13-6 on the season after defeating the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 58-48, this past Saturday. Montana was outstanding defensively against Northern Arizona and pulled away for the victory in the 2^nd half after taking a 39-25 lead with 15:52 left in regulation. Montana shot 40.7% from the field & 20.0% from beyond the arc while holding Northern Arizona to 35.3% shooting from the field & 21.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Grizzlies was Josh Bannan who had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 block.

On the season, Montana is averaging 72.5 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies are averaging 7.7 three-pointers per game on 35.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Montana has been led by Josh Bannan (13.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 apg), Robby Beasley III (11.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.6 apg), Brandon Whitney (9.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.3 apg), & Cameron Parker (8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.7 apg).

Defensively, Montana is holding their opponents to an average of 62.4 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -2.4 and a turnover margin of 4.4.

The Vandals are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games & 7-1 ATS in their last 8 away games. The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games, however, are just 3-12 ATS in their last 15 January games.

Idaho has been led by their offense which ranks 115^th in scoring offense, 62^nd in three-pointers made per game, & 28^th in 3P_FG%, however, the Vandals have really struggled on the defensive end of the court as they come into this game ranked just 346^th in scoring defense & 341^st in defensive FG%. Montana has been led by their defense which ranks 30^th in scoring defense & 14^th in turnover margin and have been average on the offense end as the Grizzlies currently rank 165^th in scoring offense & 150^th in FG%.

Idaho has been playing better as of late and has been impressive on the offensive end, however, this is still a team that struggles defensively and recently loss at home to Northern Colorado by a 17-point margin. Montana is 9-0 at home this season and as I think their defense will be able to give Idaho some trouble, I think the Grizzlies pull away in the 2^nd half and do enough to cover this double-digit spread. Good Luck.