Idaho State at Portland State (-4.5) - 1:00pm Pacific - Game #889-890
The Vikings have been playing at a higher level in recent weeks as evidenced by their 5-2 ATS mark in last seven games. Talented center Anthony Washington had quit the team prior to the season but then rejoined for the second semester. It took a while for Washington to get into game shape and for team chemistry to come together but those are now dead issues. Washington made his first start of the season in last game and scored 14 points in just 15 minutes in a blowout win over Sacramento State. Three games back PSU played at Eastern Washington in what was almost a playoff game for two teams battling to qualify for the conference tournament, and the Vikings won impressively as a six point dog. They then took red hot Cal Poly (9-2 last 11 games) down to the wire on the road in bracket buster game. Coaches and players raved about how well the team had practiced leading up to Sacramento State game. Junior Scott Morrison called it the best week of practice since he has been there. The Vikings have enough inside/outside balance on offense to keep ISU's zone defenses honest. PSU was in control for most of the game in first meeting at Idaho State almost a month ago. They had a +10 rebounding margin and led by as many as 16 in the second half before winning by two in the end.

After a great start, the Bengals have fallen on hard times. They are just 2-6 SU and ATS in last eight games with both of their straight up wins coming against the two worst teams in the Big Sky, Sacramento State & Northern Colorado. Idaho State is coming off a tough loss at Eastern Washington Thursday night losing on a 3-point shot at the buzzer. They allowed EWU to shoot 54.9% from the field and starting center John Ofoegbu played just 12 minutes before finding himself in the coaches doghouse. Both of these teams need one more win to clinch a spot in the Big Sky tournament. Idaho State still has two home games following this to get that done, but this is PSU's final chance which makes it a must win game. These are two teams going in opposite directions right now. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Portland State -4.5 1 UNIT | WIN 70-64

SMU at Rice (-5.5) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #845-846
Rice had won three straight games before losing their last three but two of the losses came at UAB and at Memphis, and the other came vs second place Central Florida. Their recent losing streak adds extra value to this spot. Rice is still tied for fourth place in the C-USA standings and with only one game separating seven teams, every game from here on out is important for seeding in the conference tournament. The Owls have been solid at home all season going 8-3 overall with losses coming vs Oregon in OT, vs Vanderbilt by 5, and the above mentioned UCF game. They are 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS at home in C-USA play.

SMU is badly shorthanded right now. Starting center Bamba Fall (finger) has missed last three games, key reserve G/F Brian Epps (fourth leading scorer, dismissed from team) has missed last two games, and starting forward Devon Pearson (second leading scorer, second leading rebounder, knee) has missed last two games. Fall and Epps are definitely out Saturday and head coach Doherty says Pearson is again "unlikely" to play which leaves SMU with just seven scholarship players. The three above mentioned players played 80 minutes, scored 21 points, and grabbed 15 rebounds and SMU still lost to Rice by 3 at home in earlier meeting. The Mustangs are 1-5 in their last six games with lone win coming at home vs East Carolina who has lost 13 straight games. SMU is coming off a 29 point loss at UTEP in which they had a season worst -17 rebound margin. This is despite one of UTEP's top inside players Maurice Thomas missing the game due to injury. SMU's performance had head coach Doherty questioning the teams commitment after the game. Despite the lopsided score, three SMU starters played all 40 minutes, with a fourth playing 36 minutes. SMU is a definite go against team right now and this line just is not high enough. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Rice -5.5 1 UNIT | WIN 75-66


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