Who’s Playing
Northern Colorado @ Idaho State
Current Records: Northern Colorado 14-11; Idaho State 5-18
What to Know
After two games on the road, the Idaho State Bengals are heading back home. The Bengals and the Northern Colorado Bears will face off in a Big Sky battle at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday at Reed Gym. The teams split their matchups last year, with Northern Colorado winning the first 69-64 at home on the road and Idaho State taking the second 71-56.
It was close but no cigar for Idaho State as they fell 75-72 to the Eastern Washington Eagles on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Northern Colorado didn’t have too much breathing room in their game with the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Monday, but they still walked away with a 100-95 win.
Idaho State is expected to lose this next one by 7. They hadn’t treated bettors all too well in the past (they are 7-14), but they might be worth taking a chance on now after beating the spread two games in a row.
The Bengals are now 5-18 while the Bears sit at 14-11. A pair of defensive stats to keep an eye on: Idaho State has allowed their opponents to shoot 46.70% from the floor on average, which is the 11th highest shooting percentage allowed in college basketball. Northern Colorado has experienced some struggles of their own as they are stumbling into the contest with the 16th most points allowed per game in college basketball, having given up 76.6 on average. It’s possible one of these Achilles’ heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday at 9 p.m. ET
- Where: Reed Gym — Pocatello, Idaho
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $49.00
Odds
The Bears are a solid 7-point favorite against the Bengals, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Bears as a 7.5-point favorite.
Over/Under: -111
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Series History
Northern Colorado have won eight out of their last 12 games against Idaho State.
- Dec 23, 2020 – Idaho State 71 vs. Northern Colorado 56
- Dec 22, 2020 – Northern Colorado 69 vs. Idaho State 64
- Feb 22, 2020 – Northern Colorado 85 vs. Idaho State 72
- Jan 30, 2020 – Northern Colorado 83 vs. Idaho State 67
- Mar 02, 2019 – Northern Colorado 71 vs. Idaho State 62
- Jan 21, 2019 – Northern Colorado 77 vs. Idaho State 53
- Feb 08, 2018 – Northern Colorado 85 vs. Idaho State 82
- Jan 13, 2018 – Northern Colorado 94 vs. Idaho State 80
- Feb 18, 2017 – Northern Colorado 87 vs. Idaho State 81
- Jan 19, 2017 – Idaho State 73 vs. Northern Colorado 69
- Feb 06, 2016 – Idaho State 90 vs. Northern Colorado 57
- Jan 07, 2016 – Idaho State 83 vs. Northern Colorado 78
KVSP