Sacramento State vs Montana State Picks and Prediction – 1/31/2025

Sacramento State enters this matchup at 6-14 overall and 2-5 in Big Sky play, looking to bounce back after a tough 87-81 loss to Weber State. The Hornets have struggled offensively, averaging 66.9 points per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Jacob Holt has been the team’s primary scorer, leading with 16.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting. Bailey Nunn has been a steady presence at point guard, dishing out 3.5 assists per game. The offense has been inconsistent, as shown in recent performances, including a 64-point outing against Northern Colorado and a disappointing 53-point effort versus Northern Arizona. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Defensively, the Hornets have allowed 67.4 points per game, keeping them competitive despite offensive struggles. Rebounding has been solid at 34.9 per game, led by Holt’s 6.8 boards per contest. The team also averages 6.1 steals per game, with Emil Skytta contributing 1.2 per game. However, rim protection has been an issue, as they average just 3.5 blocks per game. The defense faltered against Weber State, allowing 87 points, which continued a pattern of struggles against high-scoring teams.

Montana State sits at 8-13 overall and 3-5 in conference play, coming off a 77-70 loss to Montana. The Bobcats have been a stronger offensive team than Sacramento State, scoring 71.8 points per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Brandon Walker leads the way with 15.1 points per game, and Max Agbonkpolo contributes valuable minutes, averaging 4.9 rebounds per game. 

Defensively, Montana State allows 70.5 points per game but has been able to generate stops in key moments. Steals and blocks are nearly identical to Sacramento State, with Jabe Mullins leading the team in steals at 1.2 per game and Agbonkpolo adding 0.8 blocks per contest. Despite a rebounding disadvantage, the Bobcats have performed well in conference play. The recent loss to Montana exposed defensive shortcomings.

Montana State has the offensive firepower to take control of this game, especially at home. Sacramento State has struggled to put up points consistently, and road form has been poor. The Bobcats' more efficient offense and ability to generate enough defensive stops give them the edge. Final Score Prediction: Montana State wins and covers 80-67.