Grambling State vs Norfolk State 11/29/2021 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Norfolk State Spartans (7-1) vs. Grambling State Tigers (2-4)
November 29, 2021 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Grambling State Tigers +5.5 / Norfolk State Spartans -5.5; Over/Under: 140.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Norfolk State Spartans & Grambling Tigers will square off at the Footprint Center this Monday Night in the HBCU Challenge.
The Norfolk State Spartans won their 2nd straight game and improved to 7-1 on the season after defeating the Hampton Pirates, 70-61, last night. Norfolk State was outstanding defensively against Hampton and was able to pull away late after taking a 62-56 lead with 1:25 left in regulation. Norfolk State shot 51.1% shooting from the field & 16.7% from beyond the arc while holding Hampton to just 31.7% from the field & 20.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Spartans was Joe Bryant Jr. who had 20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, & 2 steals.
On the season, Norfolk State is averaging 81.2 ppg on 49.6% shooting from the field. The Spartans are averaging 5.8 three-pointers per game on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Norfolk State has been led by Joe Bryant Jr. (15.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg), Christian Ings (11.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg), Kris Bankston (11.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg), & Jalen Hawkins (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
Defensively, Norfolk State is holding their opponents to an average of 62.1 ppg on 36.2% shooting from the field. The Spartans have a rebound margin of 6.9 and a turnover margin of 4.6.
The Grambling Tigers improved to 1-4 on the season after defeating the Morgan State Bears, 74-59, last night. Grambling was outstanding offensively against Morgan State and had no trouble pulling away for the victory in the 2nd half after taking a 44-24 lead into halftime. Grambling shot 50.0% from the field & 44.4% from beyond the arc while holding Morgan State to just 34.4% shooting from the field & 21.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tigers was Cam Christon who had 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, & 3 steals.
On the season, Grambling is averaging 59.4 ppg on 40.1% shooting from the field. The Tigers are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 40.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Grambling has been led by Danya Kingsby (13.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.0 apg), Cam Christon (13.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg), A.J. Taylor (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 bpg), & Prince Moss (7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.8 spg).
Defensively, Grambling is allowing their opponents to average 77.8 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Tigers have a rebound margin of -10.8 and a turnover margin of -5.4.
The Spartans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite & 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 neutral site games. The Tigers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral stie games & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
It’s important not to just focus on the records in this one as despite Norfolk State being 7-1 this season, they haven’t played the toughest competition despite Xavier in which the Spartans lost by an 88-48 margin. Grambling played some tough competition (Texas Tech, Iowa State, New Mexico) all on the road to start the season, however, should be a competitive team in the SWAC this season. Norfolk State’s biggest competition in the MEAC is projected to be the same Morgan State team that Grambling just dominated and as I think the Tigers will be able to keep this game competitive, I think the play here is to take the Tigers and the points. Good Luck!
