Montana State Bobcats vs Idaho Vandals NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
Looking to win big? The Bobcats and Vandals face off at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The Vandals are hosting the game at ICCU Arena in Moscow, ID. Montana State is favored by -1.5 in this Big Sky conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 145.5 points.
MONTANA STATE BOBCATS VS IDAHO VANDALS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Idaho Vandals +1.5
This game will be played at ICCU Arena at 9:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE IDAHO VANDALS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-69 in favor of the Vandals.
- Not only will Idaho pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.
Will Montana State Pull Through as the Favored Road Team?
Montana State Bobcats Recent Game/Games
Montana State fell to 4-8 on the season after a tough 82-48 road loss to TCU on Sunday, December 22nd. The Bobcats entered the game as +10.5 underdogs but couldn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 130, falling short of the 139.5 over/under line.
Montana State trailed 42-25 at halftime and struggled to find their footing in the second half, scoring just 23 points while allowing 40.
Montana State struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 48 points while shooting 35.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.7%, and they connected on only 5 of 26 three-point attempts, shooting 19.2% from beyond the arc. The Bobcats also had a tough time at the free-throw line, hitting just 5 of 9 attempts for 55.6%.
Max Agbonkpolo led the way with 18 points, shooting 58.3% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Noah Reynolds added 15 points, although he shot just 20% overall and missed both of his three-point attempts. Trazarien White contributed 13 points, hitting 3 of 8 threes, while Vasean Allette finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Despite Montana State holding their opponent to 40% shooting from the field, they still gave up 82 points. The Bobcats allowed 16 two-point baskets on 36 attempts, a 44% conversion rate.
From beyond the arc, Montana State’s defense conceded 8 threes on 23 attempts, with their opponent shooting 34%. The Bobcats also sent them to the line 29 times, where they hit 26 free throws, an 89% success rate.
Can Idaho Secure a Home Victory?
Idaho Vandals Recent Game/Games
Idaho improved to 3-8 on the season with a 95-72 road win over Pacific on Saturday, December 21st. Entering the game as +4 underdogs, the Vandals not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.
Idaho led 47-31 at halftime and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, scoring 48 points while allowing 41. The game’s total points reached 167, surpassing the over/under line of 143.5.
Idaho’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 95 points on 58.7% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 69.8%, thanks in part to their 75.9% shooting on two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, the Vandals hit 44.1% of their threes, connecting on 15 of 34 attempts.
Kolton Mitchell led the way with 32 points, hitting 6 of 10 from deep and shooting 70.6% overall. Idaho also got strong performances from Kristian Gonzalez, who added 20 points, and Elias Ralph, who chipped in 18. The Vandals finished with 24 assists as a team, with Mitchell and Lamar Washington each dishing out 6.
Idaho’s defense gave up 72 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 42% from the field on 27 of 64 attempts. Inside the arc, Idaho allowed 16 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.
From three-point range, Idaho’s opponents hit 11 of 29 shots, shooting 37%. Idaho also sent them to the free-throw line 9 times, where they made 7 free throws, shooting 77%. Idaho allowed 9 offensive rebounds.