BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — A pair of 18-win teams seeking late-season momentum will clash Sunday when the Idaho Vandals face the Montana State Bobcats in a neutral-site men’s NCAA Division I basketball game at CenturyLink Arena.

The Vandals (18-14) and Bobcats (18-13) split their regular-season series, each winning on their home court. Montana State earned a 73-66 victory in Bozeman on Feb. 5, while Idaho held serve with a 92-89 win in Moscow on Jan. 10. That recent history, coupled with nearly identical records, sets the stage for a tightly contested rubber match.

Idaho enters riding a two-game winning streak, including a dominant 68-45 victory over Sacramento State on Saturday. Guard Kolton Mitchell led the way with 17 points. The junior has been a key catalyst, posting a near triple-double of 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a win over Idaho State on Feb. 14. His playmaking will be central to Idaho’s offensive flow.

Montana State last played on March 2, securing a 76-65 road win at Northern Arizona. The Bobcats have won three of their last four, with forward Christian King providing consistent scoring. King poured in 18 points in that victory over the Lumberjacks and has averaged 15.8 points over his last five contests.

The game, played at a neutral venue in Boise, removes the home-court advantage from the equation. Both teams have shown offensive firepower but also inconsistency. Idaho’s 99-point outburst against Idaho State contrasts with a 67-point showing in a loss at Portland State. Similarly, Montana State has wins of 84 and 82 points this month but also a 91-76 loss at Idaho State.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Montana State is projected with a 63.5% probability to win. The outcome could hinge on which team controls the paint and limits turnovers, weaknesses exposed in both squads’ losses this season.

Tip-off is set for Sunday, March 8, 2026.