Portland State -1 (4.4* NCAAB POD)
Portland State is 5-6 in the Big Sky while Idaho State is 6-5 despite beating Idaho State the first time around. Idaho State had back to back victories at the buzzer from their Senior Kenny McGowen and then they suffered a hang over. They went 0-4 vs. S. and N. Dakota while Portland State went 3-1 vs. the same teams. This is said to be a battle of the Senior guards in McGowen and Portland State’s Charles Odum, but Odum is better shooting 53.7% from the field and 84.7% from the FT line while McGowen 36.5 and 77.0% doesn’t impress me nearly as much.
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Portland needs the game and despite having revenge it won’t matter as Idaho State has over achieved to this point. The buzz of a mid season coaching change has now worn off and this team will lose to Portland who is a much better team. They are better defensively and actually Idaho State allows over 50% shooting on their home court and Portland State is 27th in the nation in shooting % at 47.5 while Idaho is 41.2% and just 42.8% at home. If they are going to win they’ll have to get to the FT line more or out rebound Portland but that won’t happen. Portland is 34th at FT line 74.2% while Idaho is 165th. As far as rebounding goes Idaho State among the nation’s worst 304th getting 46.4% of total rebounds while Portland is over 51% and ranked 96th. Idaho State is 60th in forcing turnovers and Portland will give the ball up, but they take care of it better on the road just 12.8/game compared to 14 overall. Idaho State will turn the ball over their fair share as well so I don’t expect that to be much of an advantage to over come all of the other disadvantages. Portland State wins.