Idaho Vandals vs Portland State Vikings Picks and Predictions January 24th 2026

Portland State heads to ICCU Arena to face Idaho on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, with ESPN+ carrying this Big Sky matchup. This is a tight number for a reason. Portland State is 12-5 and has been solid away from home (5-4), while Idaho is 12-7 and has been a problem in Moscow with a 7-1 home record. The market is basically calling this a one-possession game in a building where Idaho has been very comfortable.

It’s also a matchup where both teams can score. Portland State has a more “steady” offensive profile, while Idaho has the three-point volume that can flip a game fast. If you’re betting a side, you’re really betting which team controls the shot math and the rebound battle for 40 minutes.

Portland State Vikings vs Idaho Vandals Odds

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

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Portland State Vikings		+2.5 (-113)	O 145.5
Idaho Vandals		-2.5 (-112)	U 145.5

Portland State Vikings Betting Form

Portland State’s recent 65-61 win at Eastern Washington is a good example of what makes them dangerous in these short-road-underdog spots. They can win games that aren’t pretty, and they can do it without needing a 90-point pace. Terri Miller Jr. gives them a reliable scoring option, and they’ve shown they can get enough rebounding and physicality to survive hostile environments.

The broader profile is offense-first efficiency. They’re averaging 80.6 points per game and shooting 47.9% from the field. That’s not “just running hot.” That’s the kind of efficiency that tends to travel. Their rebounding (39.1 per game) is also important here because it’s the cleanest way to steal possessions on the road and keep Idaho from getting into those quick three-point spurts.

If you want a quick look at how Portland State has trended across the season beyond one result, the NCAAB teams hub is a useful reference point for context.

Idaho Vandals Betting Form

Idaho’s home profile is the main reason they’re favored. They’re 7-1 at ICCU Arena, and the offense can put pressure on you fast, especially when they’re hitting threes. The Sacramento State win (86-76) is a good snapshot: multiple scorers, good pace, and enough offensive quality to keep the opponent under constant stress.

The three-point volume is the defining edge. Idaho is making 10.7 threes per game, which is top-tier volume at this level. That matters in a short spread game because it creates separation without needing to dominate in the paint. Even if the game is tight for 30 minutes, a 9-0 swing on three made threes can decide the cover. The effective field goal rate (54.3%) also supports the idea that this isn’t just chucking. They’re getting quality shots.

Idaho’s risk is that high-volume three teams can be vulnerable if the shots aren’t falling and they don’t have a consistent plan to score at the line or at the rim. That’s where Portland State can hang around and steal it late.

Portland State Vikings vs Idaho Vandals Matchup Breakdown

Tempo is the first question. Both teams can score, but the way they score is different. Portland State is more comfortable taking what’s there and playing into efficiency. Idaho is more likely to push into threes and create a higher-variance game state. At home, that usually favors Idaho because their runs are bigger and the crowd amplifies it.

The second question is the rebounding and possession battle. Portland State’s rebounding numbers suggest they can keep this close by limiting second chances and creating a few of their own. If Idaho is getting multiple looks on the same possession, Portland State’s edge on shot quality becomes less valuable because you’re just losing the math.

The total at 145.5 feels low relative to both teams’ scoring averages, which tells you the market expects either slower pace or some regression in efficiency. That’s reasonable in conference play where teams know each other and defensive game plans get tighter. Still, the shot profile suggests points. Idaho’s threes and Portland State’s efficiency can get you to the high 70s each if the game stays competitive and the pace doesn’t collapse.

If you’re trying to be consistent with how you handicap tight spreads, the approach in a broad sports betting strategy guide still applies here. In a one-possession line, you’re often better off pricing the volatility and the late-game shot profile than trying to “pick the better team.”

Portland State Vikings vs Idaho Vandals Predictions and Best Bets

My lean is Idaho -2.5. The home edge is real, and the three-point volume gives Idaho the cleanest path to separation. In a short spread game, I want the team that can create margin quickly without needing to grind. Idaho’s 10.7 threes per game is exactly that kind of edge.

That said, Portland State is absolutely live to win. If Idaho has a normal-to-bad shooting night from three, or if Portland State controls the glass and keeps the possession count tight, Portland State +2.5 is the side that benefits. This is not a mismatch. It’s a spot where home court and shot variance decide a lot.

On the total, I lean over 145.5 based on the offensive profiles. Both teams are capable of playing into the 70s, and a tight game late usually adds points through free throws and extended possessions. The main risk is a slow, physical game where both teams are forced into longer possessions and the threes don’t fall.

Best Bet: Idaho Vandals -2.5 (-112).

NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats

Big Sky games are where bettors can find value if they respect home-court splits and understand how three-point variance changes outcomes. Tight spreads can look like coin flips, but often there’s a real edge in shot profile and how teams create runs.

For more spots across the slate, check today’s college basketball picks and compare sides and totals across the board. The key is not betting more games. It’s betting the games where the number is giving you a clear angle on pace, shot quality, or possessions.