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Vikings vs Bengals Picks and Predictions – Saturday January 3, 2026
Portland State heads to Pocatello for a Big Sky matchup against Idaho State on Saturday, January 3, with tip set for 6:00 PM ET at Reed Gym. ESPN+ has the stream, and the betting market is treating this like a true coin flip with Idaho State getting a small home-court lean.
Idaho State is laying -2.5 with a -147 moneyline, while Portland State is catching +2.5 at +124. The total is 144.5, which is a workable number if Portland State drags the pace upward or if Idaho State’s interior efficiency keeps the scoring steady without needing a three-point heater.
Portland State Vikings vs Idaho State Bengals Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep monitoring updated college basketball odds as conference numbers can shift closer to tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State Vikings | +124 | +2.5 (-110) | 144.5 (-110) |
| Idaho State Bengals | -147 | -2.5 (-110) | 144.5 (-110) |
Portland State Vikings Betting Form
Portland State is coming off a 95-point outburst against Weber State, and that kind of performance matters even if you don’t expect a repeat. It tells you the Vikings can get hot and turn a short spread into a live underdog quickly, especially when their guards are attacking early in the clock and creating high-quality shots instead of settling.
The offense has been legit all season at 81.4 points per game, and the efficiency is stable enough to travel. They’re also a strong rebounding group, which helps in road games where you don’t always get friendly bounces. When Portland State is finishing possessions on the defensive glass, it’s much easier for them to play their preferred tempo and keep pressure on the opponent.
For a deeper look at recent results and how their scoring has been trending, check Portland State stats and results.
Idaho State Bengals Betting Form
Idaho State comes in off a 97-84 win over Sacramento State, and the key point is they didn’t need a perfect game to get there. They can score efficiently inside, and that’s usually the type of offense that holds up at home because it doesn’t rely on streaky perimeter shooting.
The home record (5-1) is a real part of the handicap. Reed Gym has been a positive environment for them, and when Idaho State is playing with confidence, they tend to be steadier in the half court and better at limiting the bad turnover bursts that create easy points for the opponent. Their two-point efficiency is a strong indicator they can keep scoring even if the pace isn’t extreme.
For schedule context and team splits, use Idaho State schedule and stats.
Portland State Vikings vs Idaho State Bengals Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is Portland State’s scoring pace and guard shot-making versus Idaho State’s interior efficiency and home control. Portland State is at its best when it can speed you up, get quick shots, and create a game where every empty trip gets punished. If the Vikings are making threes or getting clean driving lanes early, the spread flips in a hurry because Idaho State doesn’t have a big margin to work with at -2.5.
Idaho State’s counter is to keep the game in the half court and score efficiently inside the arc. If they’re getting quality two-point looks and drawing enough fouls to keep the clock from running too fast, they can drain the volatility out of the game and make Portland State earn everything late in the shot clock.
The total is the part I keep circling. 144.5 is not a huge number for a Portland State game, but it’s also not a free over because Idaho State can slow possessions when it wants to. The over is strongest if Portland State controls the pace and Idaho State answers by scoring efficiently inside instead of trading empty trips. If the Vikings go cold from deep and Idaho State turns the game into long possessions, the total can stall in the low 140s.
Portland State Vikings vs Idaho State Bengals Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Portland State +2.5. In a near pick’em, I’d rather have the points with the side that can generate scoring runs quickly and has multiple ways to score. The Vikings are comfortable playing in the 70s and 80s, and that matters when the line is this short.
Idaho State has a clean argument as well. Home court plus an inside efficiency edge can win this game outright, and if they control tempo and avoid turnovers, the favorite can get there without needing a massive shooting night.
On the total, I lean over 144.5. Portland State’s offensive pace creates enough shot volume to push this upward, and Idaho State’s two-point efficiency is a nice stabilizer on the other end. The over becomes much shakier if Idaho State fully dictates tempo and Portland State doesn’t hit early threes, but the default script looks more like mid 70s to high 70s than a grind.
Best Bet: Portland State +2.5 (-110)
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
To build a full card for Saturday, start with the college basketball picks page and compare matchup angles across the NCAAB previews hub. If you want a quick way to move team-to-team across the slate, the college basketball teams hub keeps everything organized.
For broader daily betting angles, the ScoresAndStats blog is a good supplement. If you like following proven performance, check the best handicappers and validate current form on the handicappers leaderboard. And if you want packaged plays rather than building your own card, you can find options on buy picks.
For foundational betting concepts, the expert betting guide is a strong reference point, while the sportsbook reviews and handicappers sites reviews pages help when you’re comparing where to bet and how to evaluate services.
