The Idaho Vandals (22-8, 14-4 BigSky) go head-to-head with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (12-18, 6-13 BigSky) in the Big Sky Conference Tourney at Reno Events Center. The game starts at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Idaho Vandals Betting Prediction
In the Thunderbirds’ last game, they topped the Idaho State Bengals, 76-68. The Thunderbirds made 21 of their 26 free throws (80.8 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.5 (above their season average of 23.7). Southern Utah rallied around Dwayne Morgan, who put up 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Vandals’ last game was against the Thunderbirds. The two teams combined for 154 points in that game, which was just over the projected point total of 149.5. The Vandals won 78-76, but were unable to cover as 12.5-point favorites. The Vandals have now emerged victorious in both contests against the Thunderbirds this year. Idaho’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Southern Utah. The Vandals had a rate of 0.250, while the Thunderbirds posted a mark of 0.086. Blake recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The elite offense of Idaho will square off against the bottom-tier defense of Southern Utah. The Vandals currently rank 43rd in effective field goal percentage (0.548), while the Thunderbirds are 309th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.539). The Vandals should have the advantage on that end of the court. Contrasting paces will be on display in this contest. The up-and-down Thunderbirds rank 32nd in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Vandals rank 263rd.
Southern Utah is 16-12 against the spread (ATS), despite being 12-18 straight up (SU). Of the Thunderbirds’ 28 games that accepted bets, 15 have finished over the total.
Idaho is 22-8 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (11-14 ATS). Vandals games have a tendency to go over the total (56.0 percent).
Brayon Blake has averaged 20.2 points and 10.8 rebounds over the last five games for Idaho.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Idaho Vandals Free Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Southern Utah, ATS Winner – Southern Utah, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Idaho ranks 12th in rebounds allowed per game (30.6) while Southern Utah ranks 229th (36.7).
The Thunderbirds rank 79th in three pointers allowed per game (20.3) while the Vandals rank 266th (24.5).
Idaho ranks 84th in assists per game (14.8) while Southern Utah ranks 248th (11.7).
The Vandals rank third in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Thunderbirds rank 141st (3.6).
Idaho ranks 40th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Southern Utah ranks 101st (5.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Southern Utah is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Idaho is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Thunderbirds’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.8, down from 5.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Vandals have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (0.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (2.5 above their season average).
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