A low-scoring game can be expected from the Idaho State Bengals (5-8) and Northern Colorado Bears (4-10) when two of the nation’s top scoring defenses battle it out at Holt Arena. Action begins at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The Bengals are hoping to rebound after their 77-56 loss to Weber State in their last matchup. Ethan Telfair was the team’s high scorer, contributing 15 points. The Bears, meanwhile, are coming off a 75-70 loss at the hands of Idaho in their last game. Jamal Evans had a game-high 24 points.
Idaho State, a four-point favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Northern Colorado. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is 160 points. Despite a 5-8 Straight Up (SU) record, the Bengals have fared well Against The Spread (ATS) with a 7-2 record. They have an ATS record of 6-2 in their last 10 games, but are just 3-7 SU.
As for their opponent, the Bears have records of 5-7 ATS and 4-10 SU. The Bears are shooting very well so far with a .404 three-point field goal percentage that ranks 19th in Division I.
These conference rivals will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Northern Colorado came out on top, bumping its SU record over their most recent meetings to 6-4. On the other hand, with a 7-3 record, Idaho State has the advantage ATS. Neither Idaho State nor Northern Colorado has led in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers) over their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – IdaSt, ATS Winner – NoCol, O/U – Over
Notes
Idaho State is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Idaho State’s last 5 games.
Idaho State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Idaho State’s last 5 games when playing Northern Colorado.
Idaho State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado is even against Big Sky Conference teams (1-1), but Idaho State has lost all of its games against the conference (0-1).
Idaho State averages 71.3 possessions per game, scoring 1.018 points on each possession. While Northern Colorado averages fewer possessions per game with 69.8, they score more points per possession with 1.084.
Idaho State has an average effective field goal percentage of 47.9%. Northern Colorado is an underachieving 1-10 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Idaho State Bengals average 7.1 steals per game. When giving up 7 or more steals, the Northern Colorado Bears have a losing record (1-3) this season.
