Expect a low-scoring game when the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (5-13) and Idaho State Bengals (8-10) collide at Holt Arena. Action begins at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 28.
The Bengals enter this game hoping for similar success after edging Weber State 69-68 in their last matchup. Ethan Telfair was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting. The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 88-72 loss against North Dakota in their last game. Trey Kennedy had a team-high 17 points.
Telfair has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Bengals. During that stretch, he has averaged 27.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers.
Idaho State is a six-point favorite against Southern Utah and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 155 points. The Bengals come into this game 8-10 Straight Up (SU) and 10-4 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3).
Over on the other bench, the Thunderbirds have records of 3-12 ATS and 5-13 SU. Southern Utah has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 2-8 record.
These conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Southern Utah came out on top, bumping its SU record over their most recent meetings to 6-4. The teams are even ATS, with a 3-3 record. Southern Utah held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times in the last five matchups. On the other side of the court, Idaho State never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – IdaSt, ATS Winner – SoUt, O/U – Over
Notes
Idaho State is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home.
Idaho State is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Southern Utah.
Idaho State is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Southern Utah.
The Idaho State Bengals average 71.4 possessions per game and 1.023 points per possession, while the Southern Utah Thunderbirds earn fewer possessions (71.2) but more points per possession (1.024).
The Idaho State Bengals average an effective field goal percentage of 49.0% this season. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds have an underachieving record of 3-13 when opponents have an eFG% of 49.0% or greater.
On average, Idaho State attempts 22.0 three pointers and Southern Utah attempts 19.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Idaho State Bengals have a 4-6 record while the Southern Utah Thunderbirds have a losing 2-6 record.
Idaho State has forced an average turnover percentage of 19.1% this season. Southern Utah has an abysmal 2-6 record when its TO% is 19.1% or higher.
