Idaho State Bengals vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bengals versus the Lumberjacks? Tip off is at at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, AZ. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 141.5 points, and Northern Arizona is favored by -2.5 to win at home against Idaho State.

IDAHO STATE BENGALS VS NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks -2.5

This game will be played at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.

WHY BET THE NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Lumberjacks.
• Not only will Northern Arizona pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 141.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.

Can the Bengals Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?

Idaho State fell to 2-6 on the season after a 70-56 home loss to Utah Valley on Wednesday. The Bengals entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 126, falling short of the O/U line of 136.5.

Idaho State trailed 35-31 at halftime and struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 25 points while allowing 35. This inability to close the gap was a key factor in their latest setback.

Idaho State’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 56 points with a field goal percentage of 35.2% and an effective field goal percentage of 38.9%. From beyond the arc, they hit only 4 of 14 attempts, shooting 28.6%, and they weren’t much better from the free-throw line, connecting on 60.9% of their 23 attempts.

Carter Welling led the Bengals with 23 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 64.3% from the field. Jake O’Neil added 21 points and 14 rebounds, hitting 7 of 17 shots, including his only three-point attempt.

Idaho State’s defense held strong, allowing just 70 points while limiting their opponent to 35% shooting from the field. The Bengals were particularly effective inside, where they gave up 15 two-point baskets on 40 attempts, a 37% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Idaho State’s defense conceded only 4 three-pointers on 14 attempts, with their opponent shooting 28% from deep. The Bengals also sent the other team to the free-throw line 23 times, where they hit 14, shooting 60%. Idaho State allowed 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Will Northern Arizona Come Through as Home Favorites?

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Recent Game/Games

Northern Arizona improved to 5-4 on the season with an 83-75 road win over Southern Utah on Saturday. The Lumberjacks entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.

After trailing 45-42 at halftime, Northern Arizona clamped down defensively, allowing just 30 points in the second half while scoring 41 of their own. The game’s total points of 158 exceeded the O/U line of 151.5.

Northern Arizona put up 83 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.8%. They hit 33.3% of their threes, going 7-for-21, and connected on 52.9% of their two-point attempts, finishing 27-for-51 inside the arc.

Trent McLaughlin led the way with 26 points and 7 assists, shooting 42.3% overall and 36.4% from deep. Jayden Jackson added 23 points, hitting 69.2% of his shots and 66.7% from three, while Carson Towt contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds.

Despite Northern Arizona’s defensive efforts, they gave up 75 points on 48% shooting from the field. Their opponents found success inside, hitting 56% of their two-point attempts, going 22/39.

From beyond the arc, Northern Arizona held their opponents to 31% shooting, as they went 6/19 from three-point range. The Lumberjacks also sent their opponents to the line 18 times, where they converted 13 free throws for 72%.