Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs Arkansas State Red Wolves NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/16/25

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Ragin’ Cajuns versus the Red Wolves? Tip off is at at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, AR. This Sun Belt conference matchup has an over/under of 147.5 points, and Arkansas State is favored to win by -16.5 at home vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE RAGIN’ CAJUNS VS ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns +16.5

This game will be played at First National Bank Arena at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 16th.

WHY BET THE LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE RAGIN’ CAJUNS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Red Wolves.
• Even though we have Arkansas State winning straight-up, we like Louisiana-Lafayette at +16.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Will Louisiana-Lafayette Find a Way to Win on the Road?

The Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 4-12 on the season with a 71-68 home win over the Warhawks on Saturday. Despite being -6.5 favorites, they didn’t cover the spread, and the total points of 139 fell short of the 142.5 O/U line.

Louisiana-Lafayette rallied in the second half, outscoring Louisiana-Monroe 41-33 after trailing 35-30 at halftime.

In their recent game, Louisiana-Lafayette put up 71 points, shooting just 35.9% from the field. They connected on 39.3% of their three-point attempts, hitting 11 of 28 from deep, while their two-point shooting lagged at 33.3% (12/36). The Ragin’ Cajuns were efficient from the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 attempts for an 87.5% success rate.

Makai Willis led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 50% from the field. Kentrell Garnett and Tyreese Watson each added 15 points, with Watson hitting 80% of his shots and going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Garnett also contributed 5 assists in the game.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense held their opponent to 68 points, with a strong showing from the field, allowing just 35% shooting on 23 of 64 attempts. They were particularly effective inside, where they limited the opposition to 33% shooting on two-pointers, with only 12 makes out of 36 attempts.

From beyond the arc, the Ragin’ Cajuns gave up 11 threes on 28 attempts, a 39% shooting clip. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 16 times, where they converted 14, shooting 87%. Louisiana-Lafayette allowed 13 offensive rebounds in the game.

Will the Arkansas State Defense Show Up at Home?

Arkansas State Red Wolves Recent Game/Games

Arkansas State improved to 11-5 on the season with an 84-78 road win over Troy on Saturday. The Red Wolves entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the victory.

After trailing 43-34 at halftime, Arkansas State turned things around in the second half, outscoring Troy 50-35. The game’s total points of 162 exceeded the over/under line of 144.5.

Arkansas State put up 84 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 57.7%. They hit 58.6% of their two-pointers and 39.1% from beyond the arc, connecting on 9 of 23 threes. At the free-throw line, they were 23 of 27, good for 85.2%.

Tayton Conerway led the way with 32 points and 7 assists, shooting 66.7% overall and 57.1% from three. Theo Seng was nearly perfect, hitting 6 of 7 shots and 3 of 4 from deep, while Joseph Pinion knocked down 5 threes, shooting 55.6% from long range.

Arkansas State gave up 78 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 46% from the field. They allowed 14 two-point baskets on 27 attempts, a 51% success rate.

From beyond the arc, the Red Wolves’ defense conceded 10 threes on 25 attempts, a 40% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 28 times, where they made 20 free throws, shooting 71%. Arkansas State allowed 11 offensive rebounds.