Idaho vs Northern Arizona Prediction 1/31/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and the Idaho Vandals will meet on Saturday night in a Big Sky matchup at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Betting Preview

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks enter Saturday night’s contest with an 8–14 record, including a 2–7 conference record and an 8-4 record at home. The Lumberjacks have compiled wins over Justice College, Embry‑Riddle, Cal Poly, and Southeast Missouri State, while losing games to North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Drake and the Arizona Wildcats. In the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 69–68 loss to North Dakota State earlier this season, Northern Arizona forward Zack Davidson tallied 20 points (7 of 12 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds and 1 steal showcasing his ability to lead the Lumberjacks frontcourt.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks average 69.1 points on 45.3 percent shooting from the field and 36.8 percent shooting from three‑point range per game. Defensively, the Lumberjacks are allowing opponents 78.1 points per game.

Sophomore forward Zack Davidson leads the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks averaging 14 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1 assist per game. Junior guard Ryan Abelman adds 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per contest, while junior guard Isaiah Shaw contributes 9 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest. Senior forward Traivar Jackson provides a strong interior presence averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Idaho Vandals Betting Preview

The Idaho Vandals enter Saturday’s contest with a 12–9 record, including a 4–4 mark in conference play and a rather impressive 4–6 record on the road. The Vandals have amassed wins over Northern Colorado, Montana State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State, while dropping recent games to Portland State and Northern Colorado. In the Idaho Vandals recent 86-76 win over the Sacramento State Hornets eight days ago, Idaho guard Biko Johnson accumulated 20 points (7 of 15 shooting from the field), 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

The Idaho Vandals are averaging 76.8 points on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 34.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc per game. Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the basketball, the Vandals are allowing opponents 76.8 points per contest.

Freshman forward Jackson Rasmussen has been a standout performer for the Idaho Vandals averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.5 steals per game. Sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell adds 14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Senior guard Biko Johnson provides the Vandals with further backcourt stability averaging 13.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  

Why the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks will win

•            Quality guard play. Abelman and Shaw provide consistent perimeter scoring.

•            Interior presence. Davidson and Jackson provide rebounding, inside scoring, and rim protection.

•            Home edge. The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have played relatively well at home (8-4) this season.                       

Why the Idaho Vandals will win

•            Backcourt play. Sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell adds 14.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest.

•            Efficient offense. The Idaho Vandals are averaging 76.8 points per game. Conversely, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks average just 69.1 points per contest.

Northern Arizona vs. Idaho Vandals Prediction

This matchup features Idaho’s rebounding strength and efficient scoring against a Northern Arizona team that has played its best basketball at home and enters with a backcourt capable of keeping this game inside the number. Idaho’s offense gives the Vandals a path to control stretches of play, but Northern Arizona’s home court edge, perimeter shooting and recent surge from Kayla Williams make this a far more competitive matchup than the line suggests. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks plus the 5.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Northern Arizona +5.5