Northern Kentucky vs Oakland 2/3/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies will travel to BB&T Arena to take on the Northern Kentucky Norse this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 16-5 on the season after defeating the UIC Flames, 81-74, this past Saturday. Oakland led by a 34-29 margin at halftime and was able to hold off UIC for the victory after taking a 71-63 lead with 5:15 left in regulation. Oakland shot 49.2% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while allowing UIC to shoot 45.3% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Golden Grizzlies was Jamal Cain who had a double-double with 26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Oakland is averaging 76.9 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Golden Grizzlies are averaging 7.2 three-pointers per game on 29.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oakland has been led by Jamal Cain (20.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.8 spg), Trey Townsend (15.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.1 bpg), Jalen Moore (15.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 8.1 apg, 2.0 spg), & Micah Parrish (10.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.6 spg).

Defensively, Oakland is allowing their opponents to an average of 67.0 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field. The Golden Grizzlies have a rebound margin of 0.6 and a turnover margin of 3.3.

The Northern Kentucky Norse won their 5^th straight game and improved to 11-9 on the season after defeating the Cleveland State Vikings, 78-72, this past Sunday. Northern Kentucky trailed by a 53-39 margin with just 13:19 left in regulation, however, the Norse were outstanding on both ends of the court down the stretch and was able to hold off the Vikings for the come from behind victory after taking a 68-62 lead with 3:21 left in regulation. Northern Kentucky shot 42.6% from the field & 35.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Cleveland State to shoot 50.9% from the field & 31.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Norse was Marques Warrick who had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Northern Kentucky is averaging 69.0 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. The Norse are averaging 9.3 three-pointers per game on 33.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Kentucky has been led by Marques Warrick (14.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg), Trevon Faulkner (12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg), Sam Vinson (11.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.2 spg), & Adrian Nelson (7.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg).

Defensively, Northern Kentucky is allowing their opponents to average 66.7 ppg on 44.2% shooting from the field. The Norse have a rebound margin of 1.6 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Golden Grizzlies are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Northern Kentucky, however, are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 February games. The Norse are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall & 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Oakland has been outstanding as of late, winning 9 of their last 10 games, however, the Golden Grizzlies haven’t looked nearly as strong on the road in conference play which included close games against Purdue Fort Wayne & Green Bay while losing by double digits to Milwaukee. Northern Kentucky continues to pick up impressive wins at home and as I think their offense will be able to do plenty of damage against an Oakland defense that has struggle at times, I’m taking Northern Kentucky and the points. Good Luck!