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Eastern Washington heads to Pocatello for a Big Sky matchup with Idaho State on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET at Reed Gym. ESPN+ has the stream. Idaho State is 10-8 on the season and is laying -5.5 at home, while Eastern Washington is just 3-14 and still looking for a road win at 0-11 away.
This line is basically pricing two things at once: Idaho State’s home edge and Eastern Washington’s inability to close games on the road. The total is 153.5, which is fairly high given the usual Big Sky tempo, but it makes more sense when you look at Eastern Washington’s recent game scripts. They can score, and they also give up points in bunches.
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Eastern Washington Eagles vs Idaho State Bengals Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated college basketball odds before tipoff. If you want to track movement, check the latest college basketball odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington Eagles | +174 | +5.5 (-119) | O 153.5 (-110) |
| Idaho State Bengals | -218 | -5.5 (-105) | U 153.5 (-110) |
Eastern Washington Eagles Betting Form
Eastern Washington’s record is ugly, but their games aren’t always the “dead offense, no chance” type. They just lost 91-80 to Weber State, and despite the loss, they got real production. Isaiah Moses scored 20, Kiree Huie had 21 with seven boards, and Tyler Powell was super efficient with 17 on 75% shooting. That’s the key with this team: they can put points on the board. They’re averaging 76.5 points per game and shooting 45.5% from the field, which is not elite, but it’s enough to stay in range.
The problem, obviously, is the road factor. 0-11 away is more than a split, it’s a pattern. Even when the offense shows up, they’ve had trouble stringing together stops, and they’ve had trouble finishing. That’s why betting Eastern Washington is mostly about number value, not confidence in the outright result. +5.5 can be playable if they’re hitting shots, but you’re going to be sweating late because their margin for error is tiny.
For a broader look at how Eastern Washington has performed game to game, Eastern Washington stats and results are useful for checking how often their scoring has actually translated into covers.
Idaho State Bengals Betting Form
Idaho State is in a much steadier spot. They just beat Idaho 76-68 and got a strong lead performance from Jamison Guerra with 21 points on good efficiency, plus support from Martin Kheil and Caleb Van De Griend. That balance matters because Idaho State doesn’t need to win a shootout to cash tickets. If they get three or four guys in double figures, they can play a controlled game and make opponents chase.
The home edge is real too. At 6-2 at Reed Gym, Idaho State has been comfortable, and that’s where I start leaning toward the favorite. Their field goal percentage at 47.1% is solid, and in a matchup where the opponent has struggled to win away, simply being consistent on offense and not gifting transition points can be enough. If Idaho State keeps the turnover count reasonable, they’re going to get the looks they want.
Eastern Washington Eagles vs Idaho State Bengals Matchup Breakdown
This comes down to whether Eastern Washington can keep the scoring efficiency high enough to offset their defensive issues and their road finishing issues. They’ll score. The question is whether they can get enough stops without turning it into a track meet where Idaho State’s home comfort shows up.
Idaho State’s path is fairly clean. Win the half-court game, keep Eastern Washington out of rhythm threes, and make them score through longer possessions. If the Bengals are doing that, Eastern Washington has a hard time generating the quick runs you need to cover as a road dog. The spread is only 5.5, so it doesn’t take much. A couple empty possessions and one Idaho State 7-0 burst can decide it.
The total at 153.5 is the interesting puzzle. Eastern Washington’s recent games can get into the 160s and 170s, but the matchup here feels like Idaho State will try to control the pace. If it’s a more typical Big Sky possession count, Eastern Washington needs to be very efficient to push this Over. If it’s a higher-possession game with early threes and transition chances, then 153.5 can get there.
If you like a framework for how pace, shot profile, and late-game fouling affect totals, the sports betting strategy guide is a useful reference.
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Eastern Washington Eagles vs Idaho State Bengals Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Idaho State -5.5. Eastern Washington can score, and I can see the argument for taking points in a projected close game, but I don’t like backing an 0-11 road team unless I’m getting a bigger cushion. Idaho State’s home form is good enough, and their offense is consistent enough, that I’m comfortable laying a two-possession number in this spot.
On the total, I lean Under 153.5. Eastern Washington can contribute points, but Idaho State doesn’t need to turn this into a sprint, and at home they’re often more comfortable winning with control. If Idaho State dictates pace and Eastern Washington has even a small cold stretch, 153.5 becomes harder to reach without a late foul-heavy finish.
Best Bet: Idaho State -5.5 (-105).
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Big Sky games can be profitable when you stay disciplined about travel, home splits, and which teams are actually consistent possession to possession. The market often prices records, but the best edges usually come from matchup fit, pace, and whether a team’s scoring travels.
If you’re building a slate, today’s college basketball picks are a good way to compare sides and totals across the board and avoid forcing action on a number you don’t love.
