Southern Utah vs Montana 2/24/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Montana Grizzlies will travel to the America First Events Center to take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Montana Grizzlies dropped to 17-10 on the season after being defeated by the Idaho Vandals, 82-76, this past Thursday. Montana struggled defensively on the road against Idaho and the Grizzlies could not fight back after the Vandals took a 78-74 lead with :27 seconds left in regulation. Montana shot 47.5% from the field & 41.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Idaho to shoot 52.0% from the field & 60.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Grizzlies was Josh Bannan who had a double-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 block.

On the season, Montana is averaging 72.7 ppg on 45.2% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 34.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Montana has been led by Josh Bannan (14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.3 apg), Robby Beasley III (11.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg), Brandon Whitney (10.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg), & Cameron Parker (9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.1 apg).

Defensively, Montana is holding their opponents to an average of 65.6 ppg on 42.6% shooting from the field. The Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -2.2 and a turnover margin of 3.3.

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds snapped a 2-game losing streak and improved to 17-9 on the season after defeating the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 79-48, this past Monday. Southern Utah dominated Northern Arizona on both ends of the court throughout the game and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 31-14 lead. Southern Utah shot 45.9% from the field & 41.9% from beyond the arc while holding Northern Arizona to 34.5% shooting from the field & 14.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Thunderbirds was John Knight III who had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, & 4 steals.

On the season, Southern Utah is averaging 79.7 ppg on 46.0% shooting from the field. The Thunderbirds are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 34.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Southern Utah has been led by Tevian Jones (15.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), John Knight III (13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 spg), Maizen Fausett (12.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Dre Marin (10.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensviely, Southern Utah is allowing their opponents to average 72.9 ppg on 43.3% shooting from the field. The Thunderbirds have a rebound margin of 4.7 and a turnover margin of -0.2.

The Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss, however, are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Thunderbirds are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 & just 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up win.

Montana is a team that his led by their defense, which ranks 71^st in scoring defense & 148^th in defensive FG%, however, the Grizzlies have really struggled on the road this season, posting just a 4-9 record with recent losses to Idaho State & Idaho. Southern Utah hasn’t been great ATS this season, however, this is still one of the better teams in the Big Sky, led by an offense that ranks 22^nd in scoring offense & 77^th in FG%, and as the Thunderbirds are 10-3 at home this season, I’m taking Southern Utah to cover this home spread. Good Luck!