Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs Grand Canyon Antelopes NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25

Planning on watching today’s Thunderbirds and Antelopes game? Catch the action at GCU Arena in Phoenix, AZ, as the Antelopes hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. This Western Athletic conference matchup has an over/under of 153.5 points, and Grand Canyon is favored to win by -17.5 at home vs. Southern Utah.

SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS VS GRAND CANYON ANTELOPES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Southern Utah Thunderbirds +17.5

This game will be played at GCU Arena at 8:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.

WHY BET THE SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-74 in favor of the Antelopes.
• Even though we have Grand Canyon winning straight-up, we like Southern Utah at +17.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 153.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 149 points.

Can the Thunderbirds Pull Off a Win at Phoenix?

Southern Utah Thunderbirds Recent Game/Games

Southern Utah fell to 5-6 on the season after an 83-75 home loss to Northern Arizona on Saturday. The Thunderbirds, who were -5.5 favorites, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread.

Southern Utah led 45-42 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 30 points while allowing 41. The game’s total points of 158 went over the O/U line of 151.5.

Southern Utah put up 75 points in their last game, shooting 48.3% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.4%. They hit 56.4% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 31.6% from beyond the arc, going 6-for-19 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they made 72.2%, hitting 13 of 18 attempts.

Trent McLaughlin led the Thunderbirds with 26 points and 7 assists, shooting 4-for-11 from three. Jayden Jackson added 23 points, hitting 69.2% of his shots and 2-of-3 from deep. Carson Towt contributed 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, while Jamir Simpson chipped in 20 points and 9 boards.

Southern Utah’s defense gave up 83 points, with their opponents shooting 48% from the field. The Thunderbirds allowed 22 two-point baskets on 39 attempts, a 56% conversion rate.

From beyond the arc, Southern Utah’s defense held their opponents to 31% shooting, with 6 made threes on 19 attempts. They also sent them to the free-throw line 18 times, where they hit 13 free throws, a 72% rate. The Thunderbirds gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Can Grand Canyon Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Grand Canyon Antelopes Recent Game/Games

Grand Canyon improved to 9-4 on the season with a dominant 112-66 win over Bryant on Monday. Playing at home, the Antelopes were -13.5 point favorites and covered the spread with ease.

They jumped out to a 61-23 lead by halftime and added another 51 points in the 2nd half while allowing 43. The total points for the game reached 178, going over the pre-game line of 158.5.

Grand Canyon put up 112 points in their last game, shooting 41% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range. They hit 35 free throws at a 79.5% clip and grabbed 22 offensive rebounds.

Makaih Williams led the way with 31 points, shooting 56.2% overall and 50% from deep. Tyon Grant-Foster struggled, hitting just 1 of 13 shots, while Duke Brennan pulled down 15 rebounds.

Grand Canyon’s defense gave up 66 points in their last game, allowing the opposition to shoot 41% from the field on 34 of 83 attempts. Inside the arc, they hit 25 of 55 shots for 45%.

From three-point range, the other team managed 9 of 28, shooting 32%. They also went to the free-throw line 44 times, converting 35 for 79%. Grand Canyon allowed 22 offensive rebounds.