4.4** ncaab play of the day goes late 10pm et

[Pick Bot]

Port st -1 4.4* play
Portland State -1 (4.4* NCAAB POD)
Portland State is 5-6 in the Big Sky while Idaho State is 6-5 despite beating Idaho State the first time around.  Idaho State had back to back victories at the buzzer from their Senior Kenny McGowen and then they suffered a hang over.  They went 0-4 vs. S. and N. Dakota while Portland State went 3-1 vs. the same teams.  This is said to be a battle of the Senior guards in McGowen and Portland State’s Charles Odum, but Odum is better shooting 53.7% from the field and 84.7% from the FT line while McGowen 36.5 and 77.0% doesn’t impress me nearly as much.
 
Portland needs the game and despite having revenge it won’t matter as Idaho State has over achieved to this point.  The buzz of a mid season coaching change has now worn off and this team will lose to Portland who is a much better team.  They are better defensively and actually Idaho State allows over 50% shooting on their home court and Portland State is 27th in the nation in shooting % at 47.5 while Idaho is 41.2% and just 42.8% at home.  If they are going to win they’ll have to get to the FT line more or out rebound Portland but that won’t happen.  Portland is 34th at FT line 74.2% while Idaho is 165th.  As far as rebounding goes Idaho State among the nation’s worst 304th getting 46.4% of total rebounds while Portland is over 51% and ranked 96th.  Idaho State is 60th in forcing turnovers and Portland will give the ball up, but they take care of it better on the road just 12.8/game compared to 14 overall.  Idaho State will turn the ball over their fair share as well so I don’t expect that to be much of an advantage to over come all of the other disadvantages.  Portland State wins.