The Montana Grizzlies (7-6) look to extend their five-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Portland State Vikings (5-7). Action begins at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The Grizzlies enter this game hoping for similar success after beating Southern Utah 83-66 the last time they played. Martin Breunig led all scorers on the team with 24 points on 9-for-11 shooting. The Vikings, meanwhile, are coming off a 76-68 win against Sacramento State in their last game. Bryce White shot 6 for 14 and led in scoring with 19 points.
Montana, a nine-point favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Portland State. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is 141 points. The Grizzlies enter the game with records of 7-6 Straight Up (SU) and 5-5 Against The Spread (ATS). The Montana defense is very good at home, only giving up 57.0 points per game.
As for their opponent, Portland State has a SU record of 5-7 and an ATS record of 3-4. Teams don’t seem to hit many three-pointers against the Vikings, who are 36th in the country in terms of three-point field goals allowed at 79 this season. They average 8.2 steals per game, good for 43rd in the nation.
This game marks the season’s first head-to-head clash between these conference rivals. Their previous game was a Grizzlies victory, bringing their SU record to 8-2 over Portland State in the most recent games. The Vikings hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. Montana held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five games, while Portland State wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – PorSt, ATS Winner – PorSt, O/U – Over
Notes
Montana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Montana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Montana is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Portland State.
Montana is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Portland State.
Portland State averages 77.8 points per game (ranked 93rd). Montana, on the other hand, allows 67.8 points per game (ranked 112th).
Portland State beats Montana in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Vikings average 73.2 possessions and 1.063 points per possession, while the Grizzlies average 68.4 possessions with 1.007 points per possession.
The Portland State Vikings average an effective field goal percentage of 50.5% this season. The Montana Grizzlies have a losing record of 1-2 when opponents have an eFG% of 50.5% or greater.
Montana attempts an average of 22.0 three pointers per game and Portland State attempts 18.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Montana Grizzlies have an exceptional 7-2 record while the Portland State Vikings have a 3-2 record.
Portland State ranks 66th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.27. Montana is ranked lower at 214th with an A/TO of .99.
The Portland State Vikings rank 49th in offensive rebounds. The Montana Grizzlies rank 115th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Portland State has forced an average turnover percentage of 19.5% this season. Montana is an even 4-4 when its TO% is 19.5% or higher.
