Pennsylvania vs NJIT Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/4/24

The Pennsylvania Quakers are visiting the NJIT Highlanders on Monday, November 4th at the Wellness and Events Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pennsylvania Quakers vs NJIT Highlanders Prediction.

NJIT Highlanders Preview

The NJIT Highlanders finished last season with an 11-18 record, placing 7th in the America East Conference with a 3-11 record. NJIT had 7-8 home record and 4-7-1 ATS, while going for 4-10 on the road with a 6-9 ATS. The Highlanders were 10-16-2 against the spread and 14-12 in over/under.

NJIT struggled mightily offensively as they averaged just 67.9 points per game, ranking 329th nationally. Defensively they allowed 75 points per game, placing them 231st. The Highlanders also struggled with the shooting, as they were 39.4% from the field (356th), and 30.2% from beyond the arc (349th). Their free-throw percentage was decent at 70.9% (188th).

Zach Cooks led the team with an average of 18.2 points per game, while Jalen McGhee added 12.5 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Pennsylvania Quakers Preview

The Pennsylvania Quakers finished last season with an 11-18 record, placing 7th in the Ivy League with a 3-11 mark. The Quakers had a 9-6 home record and 5-8 against the spread, while they were inefficient on the road, finishing with a 2-10 record and 4-9-1 against the spread. They were 9-17-1 against the spread and went 14-12-1 in over/under.

Pennsylvania averaged 74.4 points per game offensively, ranking 152nd nationally, while defensively, they allowed an equal 74.4 points per game, placing them 255th. The Quakers shot 45.4% from the field and an elite three-point shooting percentage of 36.7%, which was 33rd in the nation. Free-throws were an issue, as the converted just 68.8% of their attempts (300th)

Senior guard Clark Slajchert led the team with 18.0 points, while freshman guard Tyler Perkins added 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Why the NJIT Highlanders will win

• Penn has lost eight of its last nine road games.
• NJIT has won four of its last five night games against non-Conference opponents at Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
• NJIT has won the first half in each of its last four home games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the Penn Quakers will win

• NJIT has lost each of its last six games.
• NJIT has lost the first half in six of its last seven night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of NJIT’s last seven home games have produced a total of 139 or fewer points.
• Six of Penn’s last seven games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 146+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• NJIT ranked 356th among Division 1 teams for field goal percentage last season (39.4%).
• NJIT ranked 353rd among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage last season (49.7%).
• Penn ranked 22nd among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game last season (9.5).
• Penn ranked 33rd among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage last season (36.7%).

Pennsylvania Quakers vs NJIT Highlanders Prediction

In this Pennsylvania Quakers vs NJIT Highlanders Prediction, Pennsylvania is coming as -6 point road favorites. Pennsylvania has won all four previous meetings against NJIT. In their most recent meeting back in 2014, they won at home by 89-74. NJIT are projected on the bottom-30 of the nation for this season, at #337, while Pennsylvania is projected in the middle of the pack, at #194. This is a tough one as both teams were terrible at covering last season. I simply cannot back an offense as bad as NJIT’s especially if it’s combined with such a poor performance at home. Pennsylvania Quakers were superior offensively led by their elite 3-point shooting and also slightly better defensively. I will lay the points with the Pennsylvania Quakers on the road in this one. 

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Pennsylvania Quakers -6