New Mexico State vs Cal Baptist College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 2/5/21

The California Baptist Lancers and the New Mexico State Aggies meet Friday in college basketball action from Pan American Center. 

California Baptist enters this one at 8-5 so far. The Lancers had a five-game win streak snapped by Dixie State in their last outing. As for New Mexico State, they’re 3-3 this year. The Aggies have dropped three straight and are coming off a loss to Grand Canyon. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

California Baptist started out their year at 3-2 with losses to USC and Southeastern Louisiana. After losing two to Utah Valley, the Lancers beat Tarleton State, San Diego Christian and Long Beach State in their next four, then split a pair of games versus Dixie State. 

In the 79-75 loss to Dixie State on Saturday, Cal Baptist’s Reed Nottage put up 26 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Ty Rowell added 20 points and eight assists, and Elijah Thomas doubled up on 12 points with 12 rebounds in 28 minutes on the floor. 

Over on the New Mexico State side, they haven’t been able to play much yet. The Aggies got wins in their first pair over Arizona Christian and Benedictine AZ, then lost to CSU Northridge. After a win over West New Mexico the Aggies lost a pair to Grand Canyon. 

In the 65-53 loss to Grand Canyon on Saturday, New Mexico State’s Wilifried Likayi led the way on 13 points with three boards. Both Jabari Rice and Donnie Tillman put up 11 points apiece, combining for five rebounds and five assists as well. 

The Aggies are 1-4 ATS in their last five Friday games and 0-3-1 ATS in their last four after a straight-up loss. The under is 6-0 in the Aggies’ last six overall and the over is 4-1 in their last five Friday games. 

Meanwhile, the Lancers are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall and 13-4 ATS in their last 17 road games. The over is 8-3 in Cal Baptist’s last 11 overall and 7-1 in their last eight road games. 

PICK: I’m going with California Baptist, but probably staying away. New Mexico State has scored well this season against overmatched competition, but they’ve been at 63 or below in three of their last four games. Outside of a few duds, the Lancers have generally scored pretty well this year. I think if Cal Baptist gets going early they’ll be able to set the pace on a solid cover here.