Sam Houston Bearkats vs New Mexico State Aggies NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
Betting on today’s Bearkats and Aggies game? Catch the action at Pan American Center in Las Cruces, NM, as the Aggies hosts this showdown at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 147.5 points, and New Mexico State is favored by -2.5 to win at home against Sam Houston.
SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS VS NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES BETTING PICK
The Pick: New Mexico State Aggies -2.5
This game will be played at Pan American Center at 9:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Aggies.
- Not only will New Mexico State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Sam Houston?
Sam Houston dropped to 4-6 on the season after a 110-78 road loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Bearkats entered the game as +17 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 188, surpassing the O/U line of 151.5.
Trailing 52-40 at halftime, Sam Houston scored 38 points in the 2nd half while allowing 58 points to the Panthers.
Sam Houston’s offense put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 53.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 60.7%. They were dominant inside, hitting 69.7% of their two-point attempts, while struggling from beyond the arc, shooting just 30.4% on 7-of-23 three-point attempts.
The Bearkats managed only 6 offensive rebounds and 6 assists as a team. Cameron Huefner led the way with 26 points, while Zack Austin and Ishmael Leggett each added 23 points, with Leggett dishing out 11 assists. Austin hit 5 threes, shooting 55.6% from deep, while Leggett connected on 75% of his 3-point attempts.
Sam Houston’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 110 points on 58% shooting from the field. The Bearkats allowed their opponent to hit 64% of their two-point attempts, going 22/34 inside the arc.
From three-point range, Sam Houston’s defense gave up 16 threes on 31 attempts, a 51% shooting performance. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 23 times, where they made 18, shooting 78%. The Bearkats allowed 12 offensive rebounds.
Are New Mexico State Ready for a Home Win?
New Mexico State Aggies Recent Game/Games
The Aggies improved to 4-6 on the season with a 72-69 home win over Southern Utah on Monday. New Mexico State entered the game as 5-point favorites but didn’t cover the spread.
After trailing 33-32 at halftime, the Aggies outscored the Thunderbirds 40-36 in the second half. The game’s total points of 141 fell short of the 146-point O/U line.
New Mexico State’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 44.8% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 50%. They hit 6 of 17 from beyond the arc, shooting 35.3%, and were impressive at the free-throw line, converting 14 of 16 attempts for 87.5%.
Christian Cook and Dominique Ford each scored 19 points, with Cook shooting 61.5% overall and 50% from three. Ford hit 4 threes at 36.4% efficiency. Peter Filipovity added 18 points, shooting 60% from the field and contributing 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
New Mexico State’s defense gave up 69 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field on 26 of 58 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 48% shooting, as the other team hit 20 of 41 two-point shots.
From beyond the arc, the Aggies’ defense saw the opposition make 6 of 17 three-point attempts, good for 35%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 16 times, where they converted 14 shots for 87%. New Mexico State allowed 10 offensive rebounds.