NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Hornets vs Bengals Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 1, 2026
Sacramento State heads to Pocatello on Thursday night for a Big Sky conference game against Idaho State at Reed Gym. Tip is set for 9:00 PM ET, and it will be available on ESPN+. The market is pricing Idaho State as a clear home favorite, and the situational case is obvious: the Bengals have been solid at home, while Sacramento State has yet to win on the road.
The question for bettors is whether this is a comfortable Idaho State cover or a game where the Hornets’ scoring and free-throw volume keep them inside the number. With a total in the low 150s, the spread and total are tied together, because a slower game makes it harder for a favorite to separate.
Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho State Bengals Odds
These are the current lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated college basketball odds leading into tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento State Hornets | +407 | +10.5 (-107) | 151.5 |
| Idaho State Bengals | -583 | -10.5 (-118) | 151.5 |
Sacramento State Hornets Betting Form
Sacramento State’s biggest issue is that it keeps putting itself in fragile game scripts, especially away from home. They just gave up 100 points in an 100-88 loss to CSUN, and even with a big night from Prophet Johnson, the defensive floor is too low to trust for 40 minutes. When a road dog can’t string together stops, it becomes hard to keep a game inside double digits.
There are still reasons they can hang around. The Hornets score 76.6 points per game and they get to the line, making 17.7 free throws per game. That matters with +10.5 because free throws are how underdogs survive cold shooting stretches. If Sacramento State can avoid live-ball turnovers and keep the game in the half court, they can shorten it and turn this into a late cover.
For recent results and game logs, check Sacramento State stats and results.
Idaho State Bengals Betting Form
Idaho State is coming off a loss to UC Davis, but the home profile has been reliable. At Reed Gym they’re 4-1, and that matters because this number is mostly built off the idea that Sacramento State’s road issues continue. The Bengals are efficient enough to punish mistakes, and that’s a key point against a team that tends to leak points in bunches away from home.
Offensively, Idaho State is not one-dimensional. They can score in the mid-70s, and the effective field goal rate suggests they’re getting decent looks. Caleb Van De Griend’s efficiency is a stabilizer, especially if Sacramento State’s interior defense is late on rotations. If Idaho State gets consistent rim touches and limits empty trips, the spread starts to look reasonable.
For splits and recent form, use Idaho State schedule and stats.
Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho State Bengals Matchup Breakdown
This game is about control. Idaho State wants a clean possession game where it can get shot quality and force Sacramento State to execute in the half court. If the Bengals are getting back in transition and making the Hornets score over a set defense, Sacramento State’s offense becomes more free throw dependent, and that’s not a great way to chase points all night.
Sacramento State’s upset path is simple: score early, keep the pace up, and make Idaho State trade possessions instead of grinding. If the Hornets are getting to the line and hitting threes at a decent clip, they can turn the final 10 minutes into a coin-flip cover. The problem is that their 0-7 road record usually shows up in the same places: defensive breakdowns, bad stretches of shot selection, and a couple turnovers that become instant points the other way.
The total sits in a range where one hot shooting stretch pushes it over, but it also has under risk if Idaho State gets a lead and the game slows. If the Bengals are up 12 to 16 with eight minutes left, you can get a lot of clock and fewer transition chances, which is not ideal for an over ticket.
Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho State Bengals Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Idaho State -10.5. Sacramento State’s road profile is too ugly to ignore, and laying a number is much easier when the opponent tends to gift runs. Idaho State does not need to be perfect here. It just needs to avoid the kind of sloppy turnovers that fuel a backdoor.
On the total, I lean slightly over 151.5, but the edge is smaller than the spread. Sacramento State can contribute enough scoring to get you into the 150s, and the Hornets’ defensive issues create easier points for Idaho State than you’d normally expect in a conference game. Still, if you’re picking one, the side has the cleaner story.
Best Bet: Idaho State -10.5 (-118)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For the rest of the board, start with the college basketball picks page, then use the college basketball previews hub to compare matchup angles quickly as lines move.
If you’re jumping between teams and want faster navigation, the college basketball teams hub is the cleanest hub. For bettors who follow proven records, check the best handicappers page and verify current performance on the leaderboard. If you want packaged plays, you can browse options on buy picks, and if you’re tightening up process, the expert betting guide is a solid baseline. For broader reading and comparisons, the ScoresAndStats blog pairs well with handicappers sites reviews and sportsbook reviews.
