The Montana Grizzlies and the Portland State Vikings meet in college basketball action from the Viking Pavilion on Thursday night.
The Montana Grizzlies come into this game looking to shake off a 66-59 loss to Montana State last time out. Josh Bannan leads Montana in scoring and rebounding with 12.4 PPG and a team-high 8.2 RPG to lead the Griz on the glass as well while Robby Beasley III has 11.2 PPG to cap off the pair of double-digit scorers for Montana so far this season. Brandon Whitney has 9.4 PPG and Cameron Parker also has 8.6 PPG with a team-high 5.9 APG to lead the Grizzlies in the assist department this season. As a team, Montana is averaging 73.7 PPG on 45.2% shooting from the field, 35.9% from three and 81.7% from the foul line while allowing 63.2 PPG on 41.7% shooting from the field and 38% from three this season.
The Portland State Vikings will try to bounce back from an 86-76 loss to Southern Utah last time out. James Jean-Marie leads the Vikings in scoring and rebounding, with 12.6 PPG and 9.2 RPG while Marlon Ruffin has 11.7 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Khalid Thomas has 10 PPG with 6.5 RPG and 1.8 SPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Portland State this season. Ezekiel Alley also has a team-high 3.4 APG this season. As a team, Portland State is averaging 68.6 PPG on 39.9% shooting from the field, 27% from three and 73.6% from the foul line while allowing 68.2 PPG on 42% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three this season.
Montana is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite and 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games while the over is 4-1 in their last 5 games overall. Portland State is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games against a team with a winning record while the under is 10-2 in their last 12 home games.
I get the case to be made for a home dog in certain spots. But Portland State’s really failed to take advantage of their opportunities being at home, as they’ve gone 2-3, but the two wins were unlined games and that leaves the Vikings at 0-3 ATS at home. Montana has done their best work at home this season, but even issues on the road make them the better option here. Give me the Grizzlies laying the points here.