Idaho at San Jose State (-8) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #875-876
The Spartans continue to be a live side and are 3 points shy of being 5-0 ATS in their last five games. Starting point guard and leading scorer Justin Graham missed over two weeks in the heart of conference play but has been back for the last four games and regained form with a 17.5ppg average in last two. Most recently SJSU took WAC leader Boise State down to the wire Thursday night despite losing two key players late, wing Pierce (knee) and forward Oakes (fouled out). Pierce is officially listed as questionable but only banged knees with another player and should be ready to go tonight. Both SJSU and Idaho are tied in the WAC standings. There are many different scenarios but both teams badly want to avoid the 8-9 tournament play in game. Idaho was in Southern California last Saturday, had to play in Hawaii late Thursday night, and now faces the always tough Hawaii/mainland turnaround for this game in San Jose. Worse yet, the game in Hawaii went to OT, and it was arguably their biggest win of the season so they are primed for both an emotional and physical letdown. Before the win Idaho had not won on the road all season. SJSU will also be looking to avenge earlier loss in Idaho where Graham did not play and Idaho guard Hall went 9-10 from 3-point range in a career best game. Give the points.

Play: San Jose State -8   1.0 UNIT  |  LOSS 67-69
Pacific (-2.5) at Cal Poly - 7:30pm Pacific - Game #877-888
Bob Thomason might be the best head coach in the Big West and he always seems to press the right buttons down the stretch. After the Tigers played poorly in a three game losing streak, he benched his starters briefly in next game vs San Jose State and they responded with a solid win followed up by a blowout over crosstown rival UC Davis on Thursday. Pacific is still in contention for the #2 seed and a double bye in the Big West conference tourney. They are sure to have this game marked on their calender after getting upset as a double digit home favorite in a rare ESPN2 game last month by Cal Poly. The Mustangs have managed two wins in their last five games since losing two starting guards (Whiten & Thomas combined to play 54 minutes in win at Pacific) to injury but the wins came at UC Davis in a game that went down to the wire and on Thursday vs UC Riverside in which they needed to rally from a 5 point deficit with under 30 seconds left just to force overtime. This matchup presents a class mismatch with Pacific having a talent edge at every position. Expect a motivated Tigers team to come away with a solid victory. Give the points.

Pacific -2.5 1.0 UNIT |  WIN 68-47
Portland State at Montana (-3.5) - 6:00pm Pacific - Game #905-906
The Griz are at least the third best team in the Big Sky. Much of their class has been hidden by several close losses, injuries, and illness. They may be playing their best basketball at the right time. Key guard Cameron Rundles has returned to form in last two games and promising freshman center Brian Qvale is getting back into the mix after missing three games with an ankle injury. Sophomore guard Staudacher (.525 from 3-point range last 11 games) has emerged as one of the top shooters in the league. All this is without mentioning arguably the best inside tandem in the league in C/F Straight and F Hasquet. A win tonight by Montana clinches the #4 seed meaning they will host a first round conference tournament game. Portland State meanwhile just clinched the Big Sky title with a big win on Thursday night and has nothing to play for. They had to unwillingly travel to Southern California last Saturday for a Bracket Buster game and this will be their fourth straight on the road. Even when both teams had motive, Montana fought PSU down to the wire in a 2 point loss that was decided by questionable late foul in Portland. With only one team having something to play for, expect the Grizzlies to take care of business at home. Give the points.

Play: Montana -3.5  1.0 UNIT  |  LOSS 56-108


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