Montana State Bobcats vs Eastern Washington Eagles Prediction, 1/8/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montana State Bobcats vs Eastern Washington Eagles

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: Reese Court in Cheney, WA

TV: ESPN+

The Montana State Bobcats (8-7) are traveling to Reese Court on Thursday where they will try to defeat the Eastern Washington Eagles (2-12).

The Montana State Bobcats took the court against Northern Arizona and took home the win by a score of 77-68 in their last game. Montana State finished the contest with a 46.4% field goal percentage (26 of 56) and made 12 out of their 31 shots from 3-point land. From the free throw line, the Bobcats buried 13 of 14 shots for a rate of 92.9%. When it comes to rebounding, they compiled a total of 30 with 10 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 12 dimes in this matchup as well as forcing 8 turnovers and having 5 steals. Regarding the defense, Montana State allowed 47.5% from the field on 28 of 59 shooting. Northern Arizona distributed 9 assists and had 2 steals for this contest. Moreover, Northern Arizona totaled 27 rebounds (7 offensive, 20 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. Northern Arizona ended up going 63.6% when shooting free throws by making 7 of 11 attempts. They knocked down 5 of 12 attempts from distance. Concerning fouls, the Bobcats ended up walking away with 14 while Northern Arizona totaled 15 fouls.

Jed Miller is a guy who was a major contributor for the contest. He left the arena with 22 points on 8 out of 15 shooting. He played 34 mins and snagged 5 rebounds. He finished the game shooting 53.3% from the floor but had no dimes when the game ended.

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Montana State enters this one with a win-loss mark of 8-7 this year. They currently have an average of 79.4 points per outing (135th in Division 1) while shooting 47.2% from the floor. The Bobcats are connecting on 34.9% on 3-point shots (152 of 435) and 73.7% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Montana State is collecting 34.5 rebounds per contest and has accumulated 182 dimes on the year, which is 319th in college hoops in terms of passing. They turn it over 10.3 times per contest and as a unit they are committing 17.2 personal fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on the defensive end, the Bobcats are forcing 12.2 turnovers per game and they draw 16.3 personal fouls. They are ranked 37th in college in giving up assists to the opposition with 164 surrendered for the year. The Bobcats defensively are allowing a field goal percentage of 43.7% (373 of 854) and they surrender 33.0 rebounds per game as a team. They are giving up 30.1% on shots from downtown and they rank 94th in college hoops in PPG from their opponents (69.5).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Eastern Washington Eagles went home defeated by a final of 84-81 against Idaho. In regard to cleaning the glass, Eastern Washington allowed Idaho to get 29 overall (10 on the offensive glass). They finished 37.9% from behind the 3-point line by connecting on 11 out of 29 and ended up going 21 of 29 at the free throw line (72.4%). The Eagles permitted Idaho to knock down 26 out of their 53 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 49.1% in the game. When the final whistle blew, the Eagles finished 28 for 70 from the floor which had them shooting 40.0%. When discussing 3-point shots, Eastern Washington knocked down 8 out of their 22 tries (36.4%). They were able to convert 17 of the free throws for a rate of 68.0%. Idaho earned 19 fouls for the matchup which took the Eagles to the free throw line for 25 tries. They coughed up the ball 13 times, while getting 4 steals for the matchup. The Eagles corralled 18 defensive rebounds and 23 offensive rebounds totaling 41 for the contest.

Kiree Huie was important for the Eagles for the contest. He earned 16 points in his 25 mins on the court and earned 1 assist in the matchup. He made 5 of 12 in the matchup for a field goal percentage of 41.7%, and added 11 rebounds.

Eastern Washington has a win-loss mark of 2-12 on the season. The Eagles are responsible for committing 18.2 fouls every game and they shoot 70.4% from the free throw line. They are assisting teammates 13.1 times per game (270th in the nation) and they are turning it over 13.6 times per game. Eastern Washington has accounted for 1,091 pts on the season (77.9 per contest) and they collect 33.1 boards per contest. In terms of offensive execution, the Eagles are connecting on 46.1% from the field, which has them ranked 150th in the nation.

The Eastern Washington defense gives up 39.6% on 3-point attempts (135 of 341) and their opponents are knocking down 71.5% of their shots from the charity stripe. They give up 15.5 assists and 34.4 rebounds every game, which ranks them 306th and 178th in college hoops. The Eagles are ranked 355th in college in points per game surrendered with 86.4. They are able to force 12.4 turnovers per game and have let teams shoot 51.3% from the field (363rd in the nation).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Eastern Washington

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