Grambling State vs Northern Illinois Prediction 11/2/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Grambling vs Northern Illinois Prediction

In this Grambling vs Northern Illinois Prediction, Northern Illinois is coming as -4.5 favorites. Grambling was far better last season but struggled on the road, while Northern Illinois was mediocre at home and 13-15 against the spread. Both teams struggled offensively but Grambling had a top-70 defense and they are projected higher than Northern Illinois for this season, as they are #312 in projections, while Northern Illinois is projected as a bottom-10 team at #363. I am not interested in laying points on the road in college season openers, but Northern Illinois’ home record of last season is not promising. Grambling lost over 90% of last season’s roster, but added mid-major transfers under Patrick Crarey. Northern Illinois begins its transition to the Horizon League with an inexperienced roster and limited talent in a rebuilding season. I like the value with the underdog in this matchup, so i will take Grambling and grab the +4.5 points in this one.

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview

The Northern Illinois Huskies finished last season with a 9-21 overall record and had a 4-14 conference record and were placed 11th in the MAC. They had a 6-7 home record and a 3-14 road record.

Offensively, they averaged 69.5 points per game (ranking 317th in the nation), while allowing 77.8 points per game defensively (289th). They had a 99.7 offensive rating (ranking 339th) and a 111.6 defensive rating (300th). The Huskies shot with 41.6% from the field (ranking 335th in the nation) and 31.2% from beyond the arc (322nd), while grabbing 34.7 rebounds per game (222nd in the nation) and averaging 12.5 assists per game (248th). They had 1.9 blocks per game (352nd in the nation) and 6.0 steals per game (285th).

Makhai Valentine led Northern Illinois in scoring, with an average of 13.3 ppg on 41.3% shooting from the field, adding 5.3 rebounds while shooting 81.3% from the free throw line. Dylan Ducommun followed with 10.8 ppg on 33.1% shooting from the field and 2.9 rebounds per game, while Gianni Cobb added 9.8 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Grambling Tigers Preview

The Grambling Tigers finished last season with a 14-19 overall record and had a 7-11 conference record and were placed 9th in the SWAC. They had a 7-5 home record and a 4-13 road record.

Offensively, they averaged 70.3 points per game (ranking 301st in the nation), while allowing 70.1 points per game defensively (70th). They had a 100.7 offensive rating (ranking 334th) and a 100.4 defensive rating (44th). The Tigers shot with 43.0% from the field (ranking 298th in the nation) and 31.8% from beyond the arc (300th), while grabbing 33.5 rebounds per game (275th in the nation) and averaging 12.0 assists per game (315th). They had 2.8 blocks per game (265th in the nation) and 8.1 steals per game (45th).

Antonio Munoz led Grambling in scoring, with an average of 12.5 ppg on 47.2% shooting from the field, adding 3.5 rebounds while shooting 66.3% from the free throw line. Jamil Muttilib followed with 12.1 ppg on 43.5% shooting from the field and 3.4 rebounds per game, while Roderick Coffee added 10.9 ppg on 41.8% shooting from the field and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Grambling State Tigers @ Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Trends: November 2, 2026

 

Why the Grambling State Tigers will win

• Northern Illinois has lost seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Grambling State has won three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Grambling State has won the first half in four of its last five games played at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Grambling State’s last 10 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.
• Six of Northern Illinois’ last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Grambling +4.5