Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Prediction, 12/18/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Location: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, AZ

TV: ESPN+

J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome is where the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (4-6) will meet the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (4-8) on Thursday.

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds played Washington and went home with a loss by a final score of 105-69 in their last game. In the matter of personal fouls, the Thunderbirds left the arena with 19 and Washington totaled 13 personal fouls. They converted 11 of 25 attempts from long range. Washington finished the game shooting 78.3% from the charity stripe by burying 18 of 23 shots. Additionally, Washington totaled 41 rebounds (12 offensive, 29 defensive), but didn't have a block. Washington distributed 21 assists and had 4 steals in this game. With regard to defending, Southern Utah allowed the other team to shoot 52.8% from the floor on 38 out of 72 shooting. They also recorded 12 assists while forcing 2 turnovers, but couldn't earn a steal. With regard to hauling in boards, they collected 31 with 9 of them being offensive. From the charity stripe, the Thunderbirds buried 5 of their 10 shots for a percentage of 50.0%. Southern Utah wrapped up the game having earned a 45.3% field goal percentage (29 out of 64) and knocked down 6 of 21 3-point attempts.

Elijah Duval is a guy who was a major contributor in this matchup. He finished the game shooting 42.1% from the floor and distributed 6 assists. He was on the hardwood for 36 mins played and also grabbed 9 rebounds. He ended up walking away with 18 points on 8 out of 19 shooting.

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Southern Utah will enter this game with a mark of 4-8 for the campaign. They are averaging 79.4 points per contest (150th in college hoops) while connecting on 45.9% from the floor. The Thunderbirds are hitting 30.9% on 3-point shots (92 of 298) and 72.9% from the charity stripe. As a team, Southern Utah is pulling down 37.3 boards per game and has accounted for 185 dimes on the season, which is 68th in the nation in terms of passing. They turn it over 13.3 times per contest and as a team are committing 15.8 fouls per contest.

When they are on the defensive end, the Thunderbirds have forced 11.1 turnovers per contest and they draw 15.8 fouls. They are relinquishing 36.4% on shots from beyond the arc and they are 338th in the nation in PPG allowed (82.3). The Thunderbirds are giving up an opponent FG percentage of 47.5% (369 of 777) and they surrender 36.2 boards per contest as a unit. They are ranked 284th in Division 1 in giving up assists to the opposition with 164 conceded on the campaign.

When they last played, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks went home defeated by a final of 78-69 when they played San Diego. The Lumberjacks were able to collect 16 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive boards totaling 25 in this contest. They also gave up possession of the ball 17 times, while getting 7 steals in the game. San Diego committed 19 personal fouls in this game which took the Lumberjacks to the charity stripe for 14 tries. They were able to knock down 12 of those for a percentage of 85.7%. When discussing three-point attempts, Northern Arizona converted 7 of their 20 tries (35.0%). Overall, the Lumberjacks went 25 for 52 from the field which had them at 48.1%. The Lumberjacks allowed San Diego to knock down 25 of their 50 tries from the field which gave them a percentage of 50.0% for the matchup. They finished 43.5% from 3-point land by connecting on 10 out of 23 and ended up shooting 18 of 24 from the charity stripe (75.0%). In relation to how they attacked the glass, Northern Arizona allowed San Diego to grab 26 overall (9 offensive).

Zack Davidson was important for the Lumberjacks in this game. He racked up 19 points in his 28 mins on the court and had 1 assist in this game. He converted 8 of 11 for this contest giving him a field goal percentage of 72.7%, and had 5 rebounds.

Northern Arizona has a mark of 4-6 this year. As an offensive unit, the Lumberjacks are shooting 45.8% from the floor, which has them ranked 168th in college. Northern Arizona has accounted for 734 points this season (73.4 per game) and they pull in 34.7 boards per contest. They are getting an assist 13.3 times per contest (267th in the nation) and they turn the ball over 11.9 times per contest. The Lumberjacks are committing 18.1 fouls per game and they go 65.4% from the charity stripe.

The Northern Arizona defense concedes 34.3% on shots from 3-point land (83 of 242) and opponents are converting on 71.0% of their shots from the free throw line. They have surrendered 14.4 assists and 38.0 boards per contest, which ranks 250th and 317th in D-1. The Lumberjacks defensively are ranked 225th in college in PPG surrendered with 74.9. They are forcing their opponents into 13.5 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 44.5% from the floor (235th in Division 1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Southern Utah

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