Grambling State Tigers vs Cincinnati Bearcats NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24
Betting on today’s Tigers and Bearcats game? Catch the action at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, OH, as the Bearcats hosts this showdown at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Cincinnati as the -29.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 135.5 points.
GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS VS CINCINNATI BEARCATS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Grambling State Tigers +29.5
This game will be played at Fifth Third Arena at 4:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.
WHY BET THE GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-66 in favor of the Bearcats.
- Even though we have Cincinnati winning straight-up, we like Grambling State at +29.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 135.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.
Can Grambling State Pull Off A Win at Fifth Third Arena?
Grambling State Tigers Recent Game/Games
The Tigers dropped to 0-9 on the season following a 76-70 loss to Norfolk State on Friday, December 20th. Grambling State was +7 point underdogs going into the game, but they managed to cover the spread. The combined points for the game were 146, exceeding the O/U line of 137.5.
Grambling State fell behind 47-33 at halftime but showed some fight in the 2nd half, outscoring the Spartans 37-29. Despite the strong finish, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
In their latest game, Grambling State put up 70 points, shooting 44.6% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 21 attempts for a 23.8% rate, but connected on 57.1% of their two-point shots. At the free-throw line, they were nearly perfect, making 15 of 17 attempts for an 88.2% success rate.
Brian Moore Jr. led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 58.3% from the field. Louis Hutchinson added 15 points, hitting 3 of 5 from deep, while Kintavious Dozier also contributed 14 points, despite missing all 5 of his three-point attempts.
Grambling State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 76 points on 49% shooting from the field. The Tigers allowed their opponent to hit 19 of 36 two-point attempts, a 52% conversion rate.
From beyond the arc, Grambling State’s opponent shot 40%, making 6 of 15 three-point tries. The Tigers also sent them to the line 27 times, where they converted 20 free throws at a 74% clip.
Are Cincinnati Ready for a Home Win?
Cincinnati Bearcats Recent Game/Games
The Bearcats improved to 9-1 on the season with a 66-59 win over Dayton on Friday. Cincinnati, playing at home, entered the game as -3.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 125, falling short of the 136.5 O/U line.
Cincinnati held a 25-17 lead at halftime but allowed 42 points in the second half while scoring 41 of their own. Despite the defensive lapse, the Bearcats’ offense was able to do enough to secure the win.
Cincinnati’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 36.2% from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.1%, with 8 made threes on 29 attempts. They did manage to hit 76.2% of their free throws, going 16-for-21 from the line.
Dan Skillings Jr. led the Bearcats with 17 points, while Jizzle James added 14 points, hitting 4-of-6 from three-point range. Cincinnati grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and dished out 11 assists in the game.
Despite Cincinnati’s defensive efforts, they sent their opponent to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 16 attempts, shooting 76% from the stripe. The Bearcats also gave up 17 offensive rebounds.