The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners and the Idaho Vandals meet Wednesday in college basketball action from ICCU Arena. Cal State Bakersfield is 1-1 on the season following a loss to Utah in their last game. As for Idaho, they’re 1-2 so far this year and lost to Omaha on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
CSU Bakersfield kicked off their season with a pretty easy matchup against San Diego Christian College. The Roadrunners cruised in that one, taking a 68-35 win. Both Marvin McGhee and Cameron Smith notched 11 points apiece to lead the team.
In game two versus Utah, the Roadrunners weren’t quite so dynamic. CSU Bakersfield posted just 23 points in the first half and 21 more in the second for a 72-44 loss. Antavion Collum led the team with 14 points, and Kaleb Higgins added 13 points.
Over on the Idaho side, their season opened up with a matchup versus Denver. The Vandals fell short in that game, losing 68-63 despite keeping up in the second half. Game two was a matchup versus Walla Walla. The Vandals scored a whopping 70 first-half points there in a 122-48 blowout.
Idaho faced Omaha in their third game of the season. The Vandals were down 46-26 by the break, but stormed back in the second to make a game of it in a 79-72 loss. Divant’e Moffitt topped the team with 29 points, and Yusef Salih had 13 points.
PICK: I’m leaning Idaho here but probably staying away from it. Both teams have been pretty inconsistent in the early-going this year, so it’s hard to know what to expect. That said, the Vandals have been fairly competitive in their first three games this year, despite getting drilled in the first half of their most recent game versus Omaha. CSU Bakersfield really hasn’t been off the proverbial leash on offense yet, so if the Vandals can keep the defense tight here I think they’ll be fine on a cover.