It will be a battle between Big Sky opponents when the Idaho Vandals (19-11) welcome the Idaho State Bengals (16-13) to Cowan Spectrum at the Kibbie Dome. Action gets underway at 10:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Vandals defeated Weber State 62-58 on Thursday. Victor Sanders was the team’s leading scorer with 14 points on 4-for-16 shooting. The Bengals, meanwhile, are coming off a 75-71 win against Eastern Washington on Thursday. Ethan Telfair led the game in scoring by accumulating 31 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
Telfair has been hot over the last five games for the Bengals, averaging 27.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers.
The Vandals have gone 19-11 Straight Up (SU) and 15-11 Against The Spread (ATS). Idaho has been on fire lately, averaging 77.7 points per game, well over their season average of 69.3. Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Idaho’s stingy defense. The Vandals are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 65.4 points per game. Idaho’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Vandals allow a .410 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
As for their opponent, the Bengals head into the game with records of 17-8 ATS and 16-13 SU. Offensively, the Bengals have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 75.2 points per game after averaging only 66.8 during that stretch. The last 10 games have really brought out the best of the Bengals on the defensive end. They’ve allowed 62.9 points per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 75.6. One advantage for the Bengals could be Idaho’s high fouls per game average of 21.6.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time the conference rivals played, Idaho State won, moving its SU record against the Vandals to 6-4. Furthermore, with a 5-4 record, Idaho State has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Idaho, ATS Winner – Idaho
Notes
Idaho State averages 75.2 points per game, placing the team just 109th in the nation. Idaho ranks 31st in points allowed, giving up 65.4 points per game.
The Idaho State Bengals have a defensive rating of 106.2 (ranked 73rd), while the Idaho Vandals have an offensive rating of 103.1 (ranked 228th).
With 67.2 possessions and 1.031 points per possession, the Idaho Vandals perform worse on both metrics than the Idaho State Bengals. Idaho State averages 70.9 possessions and 1.060 points per possession.
Idaho has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.9%. Idaho State is a losing 4-9 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Idaho, the 86th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 38.0 rebounds per game. Idaho State does worse, ranked 240th with 35.0.
The Idaho State Bengals make an average of 7.0 steals per game. When the Idaho Vandals give up 7 or more steals, they are a winning 14-9.
