Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho Vandals Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 7 2026
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The Sacramento State Hornets face the Idaho Vandals on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Big Sky Championship First Round at Idaho Central Arena. The game is scheduled to tip off at 10:00 PM and will be televised on ESPN+. This opening-round conference tournament matchup features two Big Sky teams looking to advance and keep their postseason hopes alive. At the time of this writing the odds were not released for the moneyline, total, or spread. Be sure to also check out our free college basketball picks for more predictions and betting insights on today’s games.
Hornets Looking to Play Spoiler in Tournament Opener
The Sacramento State Hornets enter the Big Sky tournament with a 10-20 overall record and a 6-12 record in conference play this season. Sacramento State has struggled for consistency throughout the year but did enter the tournament with a recent victory. The Hornets recently won over Idaho State 83-65, but also recently lost to Montana State 82-61, lost to Montana 81-73, lost to Idaho 86-80, and lost to Eastern Washington 102-94.
Offensively, Sacramento State has shown the ability to score points in bunches, averaging 78.8 points per game this season. However, defense has been an issue as they are allowing 82.5 points per game. The Hornets shoot 43% from the field while averaging 34.3 rebounds per game and 13.2 assists per contest.
One area where Sacramento State has been effective is creating turnovers. The Hornets average 7.6 steals per game, showing their ability to pressure opposing offenses and generate fast-break scoring opportunities. If they can create chaos defensively, they could keep this tournament matchup competitive. 
Vandals Enter Tournament with Balanced Production
The Idaho Vandals come into the Big Sky tournament with a 17-14 overall record and a 9-9 conference record. Idaho has shown solid form recently and will look to defend their home floor in this tournament setting. The Vandals recently won over Eastern Washington 85-81 and won over Northern Arizona 78-58. They also recently won over Sacramento State 86-80 while their recent losses came against Northern Colorado 76-67 and Portland State 77-67.
Offensively, Idaho averages 79.0 points per game while allowing 73.8 points per game defensively. The Vandals shoot 45% from the field and have been strong on the boards, averaging 37.0 rebounds per game while contributing 13.1 assists per contest.
A key strength for Idaho has been its ability to control the glass. The Vandals’ rebounding advantage allows them to create second-chance opportunities and limit opponents’ possessions. Combined with a more efficient defense compared to Sacramento State, Idaho has been able to win several competitive conference games.
Hornets vs Vandals Pick
Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho Vandals Pick
- Idaho Vandals
Idaho looks like the stronger team entering this Big Sky tournament matchup. The Vandals already defeated Sacramento State recently and have been more consistent on both ends of the floor. Their rebounding advantage and stronger defensive numbers should allow them to control the tempo of this game.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vinciletti | +5,547.00 |
| 2 |  Steve Seagrave | +3,420.00 |
| 3 |  Stephen Nover | +3,085.00 |
| 4 |  Nick Parsons | +1,166.00 |
| 5 |  Tom Macrina | +740.00 |
Sacramento State Hornets vs Idaho Vandals Total Pick
- Over
I like the over in this matchup because Sacramento State plays at a fast pace and has been involved in several high-scoring games this season. The Hornets allow over 82 points per game while Idaho averages nearly 79 points per contest. With both teams capable of scoring, this game has the potential to turn into an up-tempo tournament matchup.
Final Score Prediction: Idaho Vandals 84, Sacramento State Hornets 76
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