Idaho Vandals vs Montana State Bobcats Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 8 2026
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The Idaho Vandals face the Montana State Bobcats in the Big Sky Championship 2nd Round on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Montana State earned a bye into this round thanks to its regular-season finish, while Idaho advanced with a victory in the first round. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert betting insights and analysis.
Idaho Carrying Momentum Into the Second Round
Idaho enters the second round of the Big Sky Championship with an 18-14 overall record and a 9-9 mark in conference play. The Vandals advanced with a convincing 68-45 victory over Sacramento State in the first round of the tournament. Over their last five games, Idaho has recently won over Sacramento State, Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, and Sacramento State while recently losing to Northern Colorado.
The Vandals have been productive offensively this season, averaging 79.0 points per game while allowing 72.9 points per contest. Idaho shoots 45% from the field and averages 37.0 rebounds and 13.1 assists per game. Defensively, the team contributes 2.3 blocks and 6.0 steals per game, showing the ability to generate stops and control the pace of games.
In the first-round victory over Sacramento State, Idaho relied heavily on its defensive intensity and rebounding advantage. Jackson Rasmussen led the offense with 19 points, while Kolton Mitchell led the team on the glass with eight rebounds. The Vandals dominated the rebounding battle 51-34 and held Sacramento State to just 25% shooting from the field. That defensive effort helped Idaho control the tempo throughout the game, but the Vandals now face a quick turnaround against a rested Montana State team.
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Montana State Ready After First-Round Bye
Montana State enters the second round with an 18-13 overall record and a strong 12-6 mark in Big Sky conference play. The Bobcats earned a bye into this round thanks to their regular-season performance and will open tournament play against Idaho. In their last five games, Montana State has recently won over Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, and Portland State while recently losing to Idaho State and Weber State.
Montana State has been strong offensively throughout the season, averaging 78.0 points per game while allowing 71.2 points per contest. The Bobcats shoot 47% from the field and average 33.2 rebounds along with 11.4 assists per game. Defensively, Montana State contributes 2.9 blocks and 6.9 steals per contest, relying on efficient offense and defensive pressure to create scoring opportunities.
In their most recent game, Montana State defeated Northern Arizona 76-65 with an efficient performance on both ends of the floor. Christian King led the team with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Jed Miller led the team in rebounding with eight boards. The Bobcats shot 51% from the field and knocked down 39% of their three-point attempts while keeping turnovers low. With extra rest and momentum from that performance, Montana State enters this matchup with confidence and a balanced offensive attack.
Idaho Vandals vs Montana State Bobcats Pick
Idaho Vandals vs Montana State Bobcats Spread Pick
- Pick: Montana State Bobcats - Moneyline
Montana State comes into this matchup with the advantage of rest and a slightly stronger defensive profile. Idaho looked impressive in its first-round victory, particularly on the defensive end, but the Vandals now face a quick turnaround after playing the night before. The Bobcats have been efficient offensively and shot over 50% from the field in their most recent game, which could pose problems for Idaho if Montana State finds its rhythm early. With fresher legs and a balanced offense, Montana State appears well positioned to advance.
Idaho Vandals vs Montana State Bobcats Total Pick
- Pick: Under
I like the under in this matchup because Idaho showed strong defensive intensity in the opening round, holding Sacramento State to just 45 points and 25% shooting. Montana State also tends to play more efficiently rather than at a fast pace, relying on controlled offense and solid half-court defense. With both teams capable of limiting scoring stretches and tournament pressure often slowing the tempo, I expect this game to stay under the projected total.
Final Score Prediction: Montana State Bobcats 74, Idaho Vandals 68
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