Montana Grizzlies vs Idaho State Bengals Picks and Predictions January 24th 2026

Idaho State heads to Missoula to face Montana on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET at Dahlberg Arena, with ESPN+ carrying this Big Sky matchup. Montana is 11-9 and a modest home favorite, while Idaho State sits at 10-10 and comes in looking to bounce back after a 74-62 loss to Montana State.

This sets up as a very bettable game because the profiles are different. Idaho State is more methodical and tends to live at the line when things are going right. Montana is the more efficient shot-making team, and at home they can turn clean looks into quick separation. The market is asking Montana to win by multiple possessions, not just win.

Idaho State Bengals vs Montana Grizzlies Odds

These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers on the latest college basketball odds.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Idaho State Bengals	+147	+4.5 (-110)	O 152.5 (-112)
Montana Grizzlies	-184	-4.5 (-110)	U 152.5 (-113)

Idaho State Bengals Betting Form

Idaho State’s offense is usually at its best when it’s not rushed. They shoot a respectable 46.3% overall with a 53.6% effective field goal rate, and they’re also reliable at the stripe (74.0%). That free-throw piece matters in road games because it gives you points when the half-court flow gets choppy. Against Montana State, they simply didn’t get enough consistent creation outside of Gus Etchison’s work, and the game slipped away.

The other thing with Idaho State is that they can handle road environments better than most 10-10 teams. They’ve won four away games, and that experience tends to show up in close finishes. Jamison Guerra and Caleb Van De Griend give them a steadier base than you’d expect from a middling record, especially if they can keep turnovers under control and avoid gifting Montana runouts.

Montana Grizzlies Betting Form

Montana’s offense is built on efficiency. A 50.3% field goal mark and a 57.9% effective field goal rate is elite territory, and it shows up in how quickly they can turn a decent possession into points. The Weber State win (81-65) was the clean version: high-percentage looks, multiple contributors, and enough stops to keep the pressure on.

At home, Montana has been solid (7-4), and Dahlberg Arena tends to play as a real edge when they start making shots early. Money Williams gives them a go-to scorer, and the supporting scoring matters too because it prevents opponents from loading up on one action. The downside for bettors laying points is that efficient shooting is great, but it can also mask defensive lapses. If Montana has a few empty defensive possessions in a row, the margin tightens fast.

Idaho State Bengals vs Montana Grizzlies Matchup Breakdown

The tempo question decides a lot. Montana is comfortable playing faster, and they’ll take early offense when it’s there. Idaho State would rather keep this in the half court, use the clock, and force Montana to defend longer possessions. If Idaho State dictates pace, +4.5 becomes much more realistic because possessions are limited and every trip matters.

Shot profile is the next layer. Montana’s edge is obvious: they convert efficiently inside the arc and they finish possessions. Idaho State can keep up if they’re getting to the line and hitting enough perimeter shots to prevent Montana from sitting in the paint. If Idaho State is settling for midrange looks without free throws, that’s how Montana’s efficiency turns into separation.

The total at 152.5 is a number that can look light if this turns into a clean shooting night, but it can also get stuck if Idaho State slows it down and Montana has even a mildly off night from three. Late-game fouling is a real factor too. If this stays within two possessions late, the free throws can push an otherwise normal game into the mid-150s.

If you’re weighing side versus total here, it helps to stay consistent with how you price efficiency and pace, especially in conference play. The broader framework in this sports betting strategy guide translates well even when the teams change.

Open

Jan 24, 2026 23:59 EST

–

Score

–

-9.50 -106

Spread

+9.50 -106

o+155.00-108

Total

u+155.00-108

–

Moneyline

–

2 Picks Available

Open

Jan 24, 2026 22:00 EST

–

Score

–

+2.50 -110

Spread

–

o+150.50-115

Total

u+150.50-105

+128

Moneyline

–

2 Picks Available

Open

Jan 24, 2026 22:00 EST

–

Score

–

-1.50 -106

Spread

+1.50 -106

o+142.00-108

Total

u+142.00-108

–

Moneyline

–

4 Picks Available

Idaho State Bengals vs Montana Grizzlies Predictions and Best Bets

My lean is Montana -4.5. The efficiency gap is the biggest difference between these teams, and at home that usually shows up in the form of fewer empty possessions. Idaho State can absolutely keep it close if they control tempo and win the free-throw battle, but Montana’s shot-making gives them a cleaner path to a five-to-eight point win range.

I also like that Montana does not need to rely on one guy going nuclear. If Money Williams has an average night, they can still get there through balanced scoring and high-percentage looks. Idaho State’s cover path feels more conditional. It’s there, but it needs the game to be played on Idaho State’s terms.

On the total, I lean under 152.5. I think Idaho State’s best approach is to slow it down and turn this into a half-court possession game. Montana can still score efficiently in that environment, but the overall number of possessions should come down, and that matters more than raw points per game in this range.

Best Bet: Montana Grizzlies -4.5 (-110).

NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats

Big Sky games can be profitable if you’re disciplined about pace and home-court splits. The trick is not forcing action just because there’s a number on the board. Conference play creates familiarity, and that can make margins tighter than casual bettors expect.

For more action across the slate, start with today’s college basketball picks and compare how different matchups are being attacked across sides and totals. If you want a quick way to scan team context across the country before you bet, the NCAAB teams hub is a useful reference point to keep your reads grounded.