Northern Colorado at Idaho: 1/14/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Idaho Vandals (0-9) vs Northern Colorado Bears (5-6)
Game Info: Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Cowan Spectrum at the Kibbie Dome)
Betting Odds: Idaho Vandals +8 -- Over/Under: 138 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: SWX Northwest; Pluto Stream College Basketball all season on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Northern Colorado Bears will travel to Cowan Spectrum to take on the Idaho Vandals this Thursday night in College Basketball action.
The Northern Colorado Bears lost their 3rd straight game and dropped to 5-6 on the season after being defeated b the Montana State Bobcats, 76-74 (OT), this past Saturday. Northern Colorado allowed Montana State to fight back from a 40-29 halftime deficit to force OT and was held scoreless over the final 2:19 of OT in the loss. Northern Colorado shot 41.1% from the field and 26.5% from beyond the arc while Montana State shot 43.1% from the field and 16.0% from beyond the arc. Northern Colorado was outrebounded by Montana State by a 40-34 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 11-8 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Bears was Matt Johnson who had 21 points, 7 rebounds, & 1 assist.
On the season, Northern Colorado is averaging 66.5 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 33.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Colorado has been led by Bodie Hume (16.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg), Daylen Kountz (11.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 apg), Matt Johnson (10.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.4 apg), & Kur Jockuch (8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg).
Defensively, Northern Colorado is allowing their opponents to average 67.9 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 0.6 and a turnover margin of -3.4.
The Idaho Vandals are still searching for their first win of the season as Idaho fell to 0-9 on the season after being defeated by the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, 83-67, this past Saturday. Idaho had no answers defensively for Southern Utah and could not fight back after a 9-0 Thunderbirds run gave Southern Utah a 62-55 lead with 5:10 let in regulation. Idaho shot 52.9% from the field and 14.3% from beyond the arc while Southern Utah shot 47.3% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Idaho was outrebounded by Southern Utah by a 28-26 margin and committed 19 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Vandals was Damen Thacker who had 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 steals.
On the season, Idaho is averaging 63.0 ppg on 46.2% shooting from the field. The Vandals are averaging 6.4 three-pointers per game on 34.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Idaho has been led by Scott Blankey (11.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Damen Thacker (11.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg), Gabe Quinnett (10.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), & DeAndre Robinson (8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 apg).
Defensively, Idaho is allowing their opponents to average 77.2 ppg on 46.2% shooting from the field. The Vandals have a rebound margin of -5.4 and a turnover margin of -5.0.
The Bears are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400 and 22-7 ATS in their last 29 games following a ATS loss. The Vandals are 10-26-1 ATS in their last 37 games following a ATS loss and 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games.
Northern Colorado has lost 4 of their last 5 games, however, there is no question that the Bears have more talent than an Idaho team that is still searching for their first win of the season and come into this game ranked just t-313th in scoring offense & 292nd scoring defense. Northern Colorado has a solid defense that should be able to give the Vandals some trouble and although it’s a bunch of points, I think Northern Colorado will be able to do enough cover this large road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Northern Colorado Bears -8
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
