Portland State vs Northern Colorado Prediction 1/16/25 College Basketball Picks

The Portland State Vikings are visiting the Northern Colorado Bears on Thursday, January 16th at the Bank of Colorado Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Portland State Vikings vs Northern Colorado Bears Prediction. We will examine:

The Northern Colorado Bears’ recent form and player performance

The Portland State Vikings’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northern Colorado Bears

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Portland State Vikings

Recent betting trends in games played between Portland State Vikings and Northern Colorado Bears

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Portland State Vikings vs Northern Colorado Bears game

Northern Colorado Bears Preview

The Northern Colorado Bears have a 12-5 record this season and are sitting in the first place in the Big Sky. The Bears are coming off an 81-57 win over Montana. The Bears are 7-7 against the spread, and 10-4 in over/under while having a 7-1 home record.

Offensively, Northern Colorado is averaging 83.9 points per game, which ranks 24th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 75.4 points per game (281st). The Bears shoot 51.5% from the field, which is the third-best in the nation, and 36.1% from beyond the arc (75th). The Bears shoot 73.3% from the free throw line (128th) and are grabbing 35 rebounds per game (242nd).

Langston Reynolds leads Northern Colorado in scoring this season, with an average of 17.6 points, 3.6 assists, and a team-high 5.8 rebounds, while Isiah Hawthorne adds 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. 

Portland State Vikings Preview

The Portland State Vikings have a 10-6 record this season and are sitting in third place in the Big Sky. Portland State is coming off a 75-63 win over Idaho. The Vikings are 7-6 against the spread, and 7-6 in over/under while having a 3-4 road record.

Offensively, Portland State is averaging 79.8 points per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 71.3 points per game (192nd). The Vikings shoot 48.8% from the field (28th) and 32.4% from beyond the arc (258th). The Vikings shoot 62.2% from the free throw line (357th) and are grabbing 38 rebounds per game (85th).

Jaylin Henderson leads Portland State in scoring this season, with an average of 14 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while Isiah Johnson adds 10.8 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds. Portland State will meet Northern Arizona after this game.

Why the Northern Colorado Bears will win

• Northern Colorado has won each of its last six games.
• Portland State has lost each of its last seven Thursday road games against the Big Sky Conference.
• Northern Colorado has won the first half in seven of its last eight home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Portland State Vikings will win

• Portland State has won six of its last seven games.
• Portland State has won the first half in seven of its last nine games against Northern Colorado.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Northern Colorado’s last seven night games against the Big Sky Conference has produced a total of 156+ points.
• Each of Portland State’s last five games has produced a total of 138 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Northern Colorado ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage this season (51.5%).
• Northern Colorado ranks T4th among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (31.4).
• Portland State ranks 359th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (62.2%).
• Portland State ranks T10th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (5.5).

Portland State Vikings vs Northern Colorado Bears Prediction

Northern Colorado is 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against Portland State, and are 5-1 against the spread. Over is 6-2 in their last 8 meetings, and in their most recent meeting last season, Portland State won 82-72 in overtime at home, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total. In this Portland State Vikings vs Northern Colorado Bears Prediction, Northern Colorado is coming as -9 home favorites. The Bears have been almost perfect at home, and have been playing very good basketball as of late, having six consecutive wins, while being 4-1 against the spread. the Vikings are also playing very well lately, as they are 6-1 in their last 7 games, but only 2-2 in their last 4 road games. Northern Colorado has been dominating Portland State in their recent meetings, and I expect them to keep this trend going in this game. Take the Northern Colorado Bears and lay the points at home.