CS Fullerton at CS Northridge (-4) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #883-884
The Matadors continue to do everything right in conference play. They are a perfect 7-0 in Big West games and rank either first or second among conference teams in 14 of 19 statistical categories. They have gone 1-2 ATS in last three lined games and lost outright in an unlined game at Chicago State three games back which leaves them still surprisingly underpriced in this spot. They played two of those games without top forward Chitwood (ankle), and at Chicago State without top rebounder Townsend. Both have returned to play in last two games. The five point win over UC Irvine on Thursday was not as close as the final margin indicated as the lead was double digits until final minute. CSUN is a perfect 8-0 at home with an average winning margin of 22.5 points. Fullerton still has not beaten a team with a winning record in five tries this year. The Titans rely heavily on their athleticism and 3-point shooting but today will be facing a team every bit as athletic who is by far the best in the league at defending the 3-point line (.226 3pt FG% allowed in conference play). Fullerton's easy win on Thursday is cheapened by Long Beach playing without two backcourt regulars and losing their starting point guard to an ankle injury in the first half. Fullerton has won seven straight in this series, meaning no current CSUN player has ever beaten the Titans. In last year's meeting here CSUN was robbed by a suspect call at the end of the game negating a game winning shot. Give the points.

Play: Cal State Northridge -4  1.0 UNIT  |  LOSS 72-80
Montana State at Portland State (-5) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #919-920
Portland State is a serious candidate for the best team in the Big Sky this year. They are 5-2 in the conference standings just a 1/2 game back from first place despite battling nagging injuries and having already played both the first and third place teams. Both conference losses came on the road by a combined 6 points and they held leads late in each game. They should be relatively fresh after an unusual 12 day layoff before beating an improving Montana team here Thursday night. The Vikings are still without guard Lucas due to a foot injury but rotation forward Mara returned to play in last two games and rotation forward Thomas (shoulder) is expected to be available tonight after being a late scratch Thursday. PSU is 7-1 at home including a double digit win over Northern Arizona who is arguably their best competition for the league title. Montana State is 5-3 in league play but six of their games have been against the bottom five teams in the conference standings. They will be playing back to back road games here and their fourth game in a 10 day span with travel between every game. They needed to come back from a 20 point second half deficit to beat Eastern Washington two games back and beat Eastern Washington again Thursday night, again in comeback fashion. An already thin EWU team played without their starting point guard Thursday which easily could have been the difference in the outcome. PSU is well coached, is more athletic, and has more talent. Expect the Vikings to win this convincingly. Give the points.

Play: Portland State -5  1 UNIT  |  WIN 96-85

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