WEBER STATE AT NOTHERN ARIZONA, 4 p.m. MST
Betting line: Weber State -12.5
KenPom gives Weber a 84 percent chance of winning
Last time: Weber State 76, Northern Arizona 66. WSU used a 10-2 run in the closing minutes to pull out a tightly contested game
What’s at stake: In his last three games, Joel Bolomboy put up 22 points and 23 rebounds versus Sac State, 19 and 11 against Portland State and 34 and 10 Thursday at Southern Utah. If the Wildcats, currently tied with Montana at the top of the Big Sky standings, can win the regular season, Bolomboy is a virtual lock to be named the league’s player of the year.
NORTHERN COLORADO AT NORTH DAKOTA, 6 p.m. MST
Betting line: Norther Dakota -11
KenPom gives North Dakota an 89 percent chance to win
Last time: Northern Colorado 71, North Dakota 70. Freshman guard Jordan Davis nailed a floater with 18 seconds left to help UNCO upend UND.
What’s at stake: Davis’s floater pushed Northern Colorado’s winning streak at the time to four games. The Bears, however, haven’t won since — they’re winless in the month of February. North Dakota is part of the glut of teams battling for fourth place. A win keeps the Hawks on pace.
IDAHO STATE AT SOUTHERN UTAH, 7 p.m. MST
Betting line: Idaho State -4
KenPom gives Idaho State a 63 percent chance to win
Last time: Idaho State 87, Southern Utah 68. The Bengals shot 59.6 percent from the field and the Thunderbirds shot 41.8 percent. That’s all you need to know.
What’s at stake: We’ve seen this story before. In Idaho State’s last road trip, the team performed poorly at North Dakota (a 76-60 loss) and then rallied to play exceptionally well at Northern Colorado (a 90-57 victory).
MONTANA STATE AT MONTANA, 7 p.m. MST
Betting line: Montana -10.5
KenPom gives Montana an 83 percent chance to win
Last time: Montana 80, Montana State 72. In front of a raucous crowd, the Grizzlies clamped down defensively in the second half and held the Bobcats to 36 percent shooting.
What’s at stake: Montana has won 11 in a row against Montana State. The Grizzlies can stretch that to an even dozen and guarantee they’ll remain at the top of the table with win No. 12. If MSU pulls the upset, head coach Brian Fish has the first monumental victory in his tenure.
Do you have a pulse? Do you like hype videos? If so, then check out this hype video produced by Montana athletics.
And here's some good analysis from Montana State beat writer Parker Gabriel ...
Wrote about keys for Montana State defending UM on Saturday: Stop the ball and defend screens: https://t.co/59ZkugHgyd— Parker Gabriel (@pgabriel15) February 19, 2016
Here's a couple of examples of defending screens. First, a push-up on Breunig: https://t.co/dZsRoXUHgX— Parker Gabriel (@pgabriel15) February 19, 2016
Next, a cup on Krslovic that still yields a basket. https://t.co/IXHhWh8QJv— Parker Gabriel (@pgabriel15) February 19, 2016
And, finally, a hedge that stops the ball and gives time to recover. https://t.co/RNgCc0z2Xp— Parker Gabriel (@pgabriel15) February 19, 2016
Notice all the screens start at the top. UM did it a ton. MSU was more aggressive with bigs besides Breunig. Chess match continues Saturday.— Parker Gabriel (@pgabriel15) February 19, 2016
EASTERN WASHINGTON AT PORTLAND STATE, 8:05 p.m. MST
Betting line: Eastern Washington -2
KenPom gives Eastern a 53 percent chance of winning
Last time: Eastern Washington 112, Portland State 83. Despite 37 points from Cameron Forte, PSU was embarrassed in Cheney. The Eagles were unconscious offensively, going 37 for 58 (63.8 percent) from the field and led by as much as 36 points.
What’s at stake: Portland State is in a free fall. Eastern is surging. Either the Eagles will continue to overpower opponents with their potent attack, or the Vikings are going to manage to contain them and find a semblance of stability before their season careens off a ledge.
IDAHO AT SACRAMENTO STATE, 8:05 p.m. MST
Betting line: Sacramento State -1.5
KenPom gives Sac State a 53 percent chance of winning
Last time: Sac State 65, Idaho 63. The Hornets didn’t shoot well (22 for 53), but they made 10 3-pointers and survived a big night from Vandals sophomore guard Chad Sherwood (22 points, six 3-pointers).
What’s at stake: Idaho is third in the Big Sky in defensive efficiency (.997 points per possession) and fourth in effective field goal percentage defense (49.9). The Vandals haven’t been stellar offensively and have had to rely on a league-best 36.5 percent offensive rebounding percentage. How much of their lackluster offense has been the injuries? And how much will the return of Perrion Callandret and Victor Sanders affect their offensive production as they work back into the fold?
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