New Mexico State Aggies vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Prediction, 2/1/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Mexico State Aggies vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

Location: E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY

TV: ESPN+

The New Mexico State Aggies (11-9) are en route to E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday where they will meet the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (12-8).

The New Mexico State Aggies faced off with Jacksonville State and ended up losing by a score of 65-59 in their last game. New Mexico State wrapped up the contest having earned a 34.4% FG percentage (22 of 64) and buried 9 of 30 3-pointers. From the free throw line, the Aggies converted 6 of their 10 tries for a rate of 60.0%. When discussing hauling in rebounds, they compiled 39 with 9 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 13 assists in this contest as well as forcing 6 turnovers and getting 2 steals. Regarding defense, New Mexico State allowed the other team to shoot 39.1% from the field on 25 out of 64 shooting. Jacksonville State distributed 11 dimes and had 4 steals in the game. Furthermore, Jacksonville State had 38 boards (10 offensive, 28 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. Jacksonville State finished the contest at 75.0% from the charity stripe by making 9 of their 12 attempts. They also converted 6 of their 18 attempts from beyond the arc. When discussing personal fouls, the Aggies ended up finishing with 15 while Jacksonville State finished the game with 11 personal fouls.

Robert Carpenter is someone who had an impact in this matchup. He finished 35.3% from the field and dished out 2 assists. He saw the court for 28 minutes played and also totaled 5 rebounds. He ended up with 16 points on 6 of 17 shooting.

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New Mexico State steps onto the hardwood with a win-loss record of 11-9 for the campaign. They turn it over 12.1 times per contest and as a unit are committing 19.4 personal fouls per contest. As a team, New Mexico State is grabbing 38.2 rebounds per game and has accounted for 255 dimes on the year, which is 292nd in Division 1 in terms of passing. The Aggies are connecting on 34.2% on 3-point shots (159 of 465) and 67.2% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 72.1 pts per game (247th in D-1) while hitting 42.8% from the field.

Defensively, the Aggies are forcing 11.1 turnovers per game and they draw 16.1 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 65th in college hoops in giving up assists with 239 surrendered on the campaign. The Aggies defense is allowing and opponent field goal percentage of 39.2% (450 of 1,148) and they concede 34.4 boards per contest as a squad. They surrender 28.9% from beyond the arc and they are ranked 62nd in college hoops in points per game allowed (67.2).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers took home the win by a final score of 75-66 when they faced Sam Houston State. Concerning rebounding, Western Kentucky allowed Sam Houston State to snag 32 overall (13 on the offensive side). They went 29.2% from distance by shooting 7 of 24 and ended up going 11 out of 18 from the free throw line (61.1%). The Hilltoppers permitted Sam Houston State to convert 24 of 64 attempts from the floor which gave them a rate of 37.5% for this game. In all, the Hilltoppers ended up going 26 out of 59 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 44.1%. Concerning 3-pointers, Western Kentucky buried 8 of their 27 attempts (29.6%). They were able to knock down 15 of the free throws for a rate of 83.3%. Sam Houston State was called for 14 fouls for the game which got the Hilltoppers to the free throw line for 18 attempts. They gave up possession of the ball 14 times, while getting 5 steals for the game. The Hilltoppers earned 26 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive rebounds totaling 38 in the game.

Don McHenry was important for the Hilltoppers for the contest. He made 6 out of 17 in the matchup giving him a rate of 35.3%, and earned 3 rebounds. He recorded 20 points in his 29 minutes of playing time and had 1 assist for the contest.

Western Kentucky has a win-loss mark of 12-8 for the year. When it comes to offensive execution, the Hilltoppers are connecting on 42.3% from the floor, which has them ranked 310th in the nation. Western Kentucky has accumulated 1,536 points on the year (76.8 per game) and they collect 38.2 rebounds per contest. They are earning an assist 12.1 times per game (304th in the nation) and they cough up possession 11.6 times per contest. The Hilltoppers are responsible for committing 18.4 fouls per game and they shoot 73.6% from the free throw line.

The Western Kentucky defense surrenders 30.5% on 3-pointers (168 of 550) and their opposition makes 72.1% of their free throw attempts. They have conceded 13.8 assists and 41.2 total boards per game, which is ranked 241st and 360th in the nation. The Hilltoppers defensively are ranked 280th in college hoops in points per game surrendered with 75.1. They have forced 13.9 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 40.7% from the floor (51st in Division 1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Western Kentucky

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