New Mexico (3-1) vs Grambling State (1-2)
Game Info: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 9:00 pm (The Pit)
The Line: Betting Odds: New Mexico -18.5 / Grambling State +18.5 — Over/Under: 150.5
The Grambling Tigers are visiting the New Mexico Lobos on Thursday, November 21st at The Pit. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Grambling Tigers vs New Mexico Lobos Prediction.
New Mexico Lobos Preview
The New Mexico Lobos have a 3-1 record this season and are coming off a 71-85 loss in St. John’s. The Lobos are 2-2 against the spread, and 2-2 in over/under while having a 2-0 home record.
Offensively, New Mexico is averaging 83.5 points per game, which ranks 95th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 78.5 points per game (311th). The Lobos shoot 45.7% from the field (187th) and 32.6% from beyond the arc (203rd). The Lobos shoot 62.5% from the free-throw line (323rd) and are grabbing 38.3 rebounds per game (150th).
Nelly Junior Joseph leads New Mexico in scoring with an average of 17.5 points and a team-high 10.3 rebounds, while Donovan Dent adds 17.3 points and a team-high 8.8 assists. New Mexico will meet Texas Southern, Arizona State, San Jose State, New Mexico State, and VCU after this game.
Grambling Tigers Preview
The Grambling Tigers have a 1-2 record this season and are coming off a 62-86 loss in Florida. The Tigers are 2-0 against the spread, and 0-2 in over/under while having a 0-2 road record.
Offensively, Grambling is averaging 72.7 points per game, which ranks 266th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 64.7 points per game (76th). The Tigers shoot 47.4% from the field (113th) and 41.1% from beyond the arc (32nd). The Tigers shoot 67.3% from the free-throw line (261st) and are grabbing 38 rebounds per game (162th).
Kintavious Dozier leads Grambling in scoring this season, with an average of 16.3 points and 5 rebounds, while Antwan Burnett adds 13.3 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds.
Why the New Mexico Lobos will win
- New Mexico has won each of its last 11 night games against non-conference opponents.
- Grambling State has lost 15 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents.
- New Mexico has won the first half in each of its last 11 night games against non-conference opponents.
Why the Grambling State Tigers will win
- Grambling State has won each of its last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Grambling State has won the first half in five of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of Grambling State’s last 10 night games have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
- Five of New Mexico’s last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at The Pit have produced a total of 155+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- New Mexico ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for pace this season (78.3).
- New Mexico ranks 355th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (42.8).
- Grambling State ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.50).
- Grambling State ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (11.0).
Grambling Tigers vs New Mexico Lobos Prediction
New Mexico has won both previous meetings against Grambling, covering the spread in both. In this Grambling Tigers vs New Mexico Lobos Prediction, New Mexico is coming as -18.5 home favorites. One could make a case for the Lobos because they are at home, where they have won both games this season, and the Tigers are winless on the road. But while New Mexico scores almost 10 points more than Grambling, they allow 14 points more defensively, and are on the bottom half of the nation in shooting percentages, while the Tigers almost crack the top-100 in field goal percentage and are 32nd in 3-point percentage. I fully expect the guests to keep this close, so pick the Grambling Tigers to cover.