The Weber State Wildcats (22-7) visit Idaho to take on the Vandals (18-11) in a matchup that pits the Big Sky’s ninth-ranked offense against the first-ranked defense. The game begins at 10:00 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 3.
The Vandals enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Eastern Washington 66-62 in their last matchup. Victor Sanders was the team’s high scorer with 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are coming off a 60-54 win over Montana in their last outing. Dusty Baker shot 5 for 6 and led in scoring with 20 points.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out, as two of the nation’s top rebounding teams face off. Idaho is among the nation’s best on the offensive glass, ranking 30th in OR% at 35.0%. Meanwhile, Weber State ranks sixth in the nation at corralling defensive boards with a DR% of 76.1%.
The Vandals enter the game with records of 18-11 Straight Up (SU) and 14-11 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games, but have found ways to get wins, going 9-1 SU. The Vandals are an incredibly accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .378 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I.
In the other locker room, Weber State has a SU record of 22-7 and an ATS record of 13-13-1. Offensively, the Wildcats have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 77.5 points per game after averaging only 67.4 during that stretch. The Weber State defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking 42nd in Division I with only 66.3 points allowed per game. The Weber State defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only 5.0 field goals from three-point range per game. One advantage for the Wildcats could be Idaho’s high fouls per game average of 21.6.
The conference rivals will be facing off in their first head-to-head contest of the season. When they last met the Wildcats were winners, evening up the two teams’ head-to-head record (1-1). They are also even ATS at 1-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Web, ATS Winner – Web
Notes
Idaho scores an average of just 69.5 points per game (ranked 200th). Weber State ranks 42nd in points allowed, giving up 66.3 points per game.
Weber State averages 75.2 points per away game (ranked 47th). Idaho allows 65.5 points per home game (ranked 76th).
The Weber State Wildcats rank 54th for their offensive rating of 112.2. The Idaho Vandals have a defensive rating of 97.7 (ranked 40th).
The Weber State Wildcats have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 18th in the nation with a FG% of 48.4%. When their opponents have a similar or higher FG%, the Idaho Vandals are 2-3.
The Idaho Vandals average 17.0 three point attempts per game, and the Weber State Wildcats attempt 22.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Idaho is 5-3 and Weber State is 14-5.
Idaho ranks 123rd in offensive rebounds, while Weber State ranks sixth in defensive rebounds.
On average, Weber State forces a turnover rate of 16.0%. When Idaho turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 17-10 record.
