Four college basketball teams are taking part in what is described as a first-of-its-kind event for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Phoenix. The 2021 Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul continues on Monday with a showdown between the Norfolk State Spartans and the Grambling Tigers. Norfolk State is 7-1 this season following a win over Hampton on Sunday evening. Grambling is 2-4 after a victory over Morgan State in Phoenix.
Tipoff is at 6 p.m. ET in Phoenix. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Spartans as 5.5-point favorites, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 140 in the latest Norfolk State vs. Grambling odds. Before making any Grambling vs. Norfolk State picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $2,100 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Norfolk State vs. Grambling. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball lines and trends for Grambling vs. Norfolk State:
- Norfolk State vs. Grambling spread: Norfolk State -5.5
- Norfolk State vs. Grambling over-under: 140 points
- Norfolk State: The Spartans are 4-1 against the spread in the last five games
- Grambling: The Tigers are 1-4 against the spread in the last five games
Why Norfolk State can cover
The Spartans are playing quite well to begin the season, racking up four double-digit wins. Norfolk State is led by senior guard Joe Bryant Jr., who is averaging 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on impressive efficiency. Bryant Jr. is knocking down almost 38 percent of his 3-point attempts, and the veteran is converting 97.4 percent of free-throw attempts in 2021-22.
As a team, Norfolk State is near the top of the country in free-throw creation rate, putting pressure on opponents by producing efficient looks. The Spartans are also above-average on 2-point shots, making 49.5 percent of attempts, and Norfolk State has a havoc-creating defense. The Spartans are producing a turnover on more than 23 percent of defensive possessions, including a 13.0 percent steal rate that is in the top 30 nationally, and Grambling is currently 355th in the country in ball security.
Why Grambling can cover
The Tigers have the advantage in 3-point shooting in this matchup. Grambling is converting 40.8 percent of 3-point attempts, a top-20 mark in the country, and Norfolk State is shooting just 31.0 percent from deep. Norfolk State is outside the top 350 in 3-point attempt rate allowed, so Grambling should be able to produce quality looks from outside. The Tigers are also above-average in creating free-throw attempts, with Norfolk State currently ranking below the national average in free-throw prevention.
On defense, Grambling is forcing a turnover on 19.5 percent of possessions, a very strong mark, and opponents are shooting just 48.7 percent on 2-point attempts against the Tigers. Grambling also boasts a 9.1 percent block rate that is above the national average, and the Tigers contest shots at a high level.
