It’s the HBCU Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena as Norfolk State takes on Grambling. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with a Norfolk State-Grambling prediction and tip.

Norfolk State enters the session at 7-6 on the year. They opened the year 4-1, their only loss coming against William and Mary. Still, they enter Thursday as losers of three straight games, falling to Hofstra, Baylor and Northern Kentucky. Last night they earned a 71-54 victory over Alabama State. Meanwhile, Grambling begins at 2-8 a.m. Thursday. They opened with a win over Southern New Orleans. They would then lose five straight before beating Arkansas Baptist. Since then, they have lost to Pepperdine and Southeast Louisiana. Grambling lost again last night, falling to Delaware State 73-60.

Norfolk State and Grambling have only met once in recent years. This game took place in November 2021 when Norfolk State won the game 70-63.

Here are the Norfolk State-Grambling College basketball odds, courtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: Norfolk State-Grambling Odds

Norfolk State: -5.5 (-110)

Money line: -235

Grammar: +5.5 (-110)

Moneyline: +190

Over: 140.5 (-115)

Under: 140.5 (-105)

How to watch Norfolk State vs. Grambling

Time: 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT

TV: ESPNU

*Watch college basketball LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why Norfolk State will cover the spread/win

Norfolk State ranks 188th in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rankings this year. They rank 153rd in offensive efficiency and 218th in defensive efficiency this year. They were stronger defensively in many areas. Norfolk State ranks 195th nationally in opponent points per game while ranking 159th in opponent shooting percentage. They also do a great job of limiting opposing shots. They rank 87th nationally in opposing field goal attempts and 110th in opposing field goals made.

Brian Moore Jr. paved the way for Norfolk State. He is scoring 18.6 points per game while adding 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game this year. He is joined in the backcourt by Christian Ings. Ings leads the team in assists this year and has 4.1 assists per game this year. He is also scoring 13.1 points per game this year while adding 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. Finally, Sin’Cere McMahon scored 6.3 points per game this year and added 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists.

Upfront, Jalen Myers was solid. He is scoring 10.9 points per game and adding five rebounds per game this year. Myers leads the team in rebounds this year. Jaylani Darden joins Myers in rebounding. He is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game and also put up 5.7 points per game this year. Finally, Kuluel Mading is scoring 5.8 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game this year.

Why Grambling covers the spread/profit

Grambling ranks 275th in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rankings this year. They rank 284th in offensive efficiency and 230th in defensive efficiency this year. Grambling has shot well from three-point range this year, hitting 38.2 percent of its three-point attempts, which ranks 38th nationally. Still, they’re picky when it comes to those points, taking just 18.7 three-pointers per game and posting a shooting percentage of 7.1, both outside the top 200 in the country. Additionally, they rank 211th in effective field goal percentage.

Antwan Burnett leads the team in both points and rebounds this year. He is scoring 13.7 points per game and adding 5.2 rebounds per game this year. He also has 1.6 assists and one steal per game. Meanwhile, Mikale Stevenson leads the team in assists this year. He is averaging 4.3 assists per game this year while adding 11.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Rounding out the backcourt is Kintavious Dozier. Dozier is scoring 11.1 points per game this year and adding 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Ernest Ross leads the way. He only scores 7.7 points per game but adds 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He is joined there by James Flippin. Flippin scores 6.4 points per game and adds 2.1 rebounds.

Final Norfolk State grappling prediction and picks

Neither team played particularly well in this game this year. However, there are some key areas that will decide the game. First, Norfolk State ranks 219th nationally in points per game while ranking 149th in effective field goal percentage. Grambling ranks 305th in opponent points per game and 275th in opponent effective field goal percentage. Second, Norfolk State ranks 209th nationally in turnovers, while Grambling ranks 339th. Additionally, Norfolk State ranks 147th nationally in opponent turnovers per game. With the better offense and the ability to gain more possession, you can expect Norfolk State to win this game with ease.

Final Norfolk State grappling prediction and picks: Norfolk State – 5.5 (-110)