Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs New Mexico State Aggies Prediction, 3/1/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs New Mexico State Aggies

Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Location: Pan American Center in University Park, PA

TV: ESPN+

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (15-12) are headed to Pan American Center on Saturday where they will try to beat the New Mexico State Aggies (15-12).

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers faced off with Louisiana Tech and went home with a win by a final score of 64-63 in their last game. When discussing fouls, the Hilltoppers left the arena with 16 while Louisiana Tech recorded 16 fouls. They buried 8 of their 22 tries from downtown. Louisiana Tech went 92.0% from the free throw line by burying 23 of 25 tries. Furthermore, Louisiana Tech pulled down 28 rebounds (5 offensive, 23 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Louisiana Tech recorded 12 dimes and had 7 steals for the matchup. When discussing defense, Western Kentucky allowed the other team to shoot 37.2% from the floor on 16 out of 43 shooting. They also distributed 13 dimes for the contest while forcing the opposition into 14 turnovers and having 8 steals. Pertaining to getting rebounds, they collected 24 with 3 of them being on the offensive end. At the charity stripe, the Hilltoppers made 7 of 7 tries for a percentage of 100.0%. Western Kentucky ended the game with a 45.6% field goal percentage (26 out of 57) and made 5 of their 16 shots from distance.

Braxton Bayless is a guy who was important for this game. He left the arena with 27 points on 11 of 19 shooting. He played for 38 minutes and also collected 5 boards. He walked away from this one shooting 57.9% from the floor and also totaled 4 assists.

Get all of our NCAA Betting Picks

Western Kentucky heads into this matchup with a record of 15-12 this season. They average 76.7 points per game (110th in D-1) on 42.9% from the field. The Hilltoppers are shooting 34.1% on three-point shots (231 of 678) and 73.3% from the charity stripe. As a team, Western Kentucky is pulling in 37.2 rebounds per contest and has earned 332 dimes for the year, which is 312th in college hoops in terms of passing the rock. They lose possession by turning the ball over 11.3 times per game and as a team they commit 17.8 fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on defense, the Hilltoppers are forcing 13.3 turnovers per game and they draw 16.1 fouls. They are currently ranked 182nd in college in giving up assists to their opponents with 372 conceded for the season. The Hilltoppers defensively are giving up an opponent FG percentage of 41.5% (677 of 1,633) and they surrender 40.2 boards per game as a squad. They give up 31.7% on 3-pointers and they are 282nd in D-1 in opponents points per game (75.3).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the New Mexico State Aggies got the victory with a final of 60-49 against Kennesaw State. With respect to rebounding, New Mexico State allowed Kennesaw State to pull down 26 in all (6 on the offensive glass). They finished the game shooting 17.4% from distance by going 4 of 23 and finished the contest at 15 out of 24 at the free throw line (62.5%). The Aggies allowed Kennesaw State to bury 15 of 46 tries from the field which gave them a rate of 32.6% for the matchup. Overall, the Aggies shot 18 out of 48 from the floor which gave them a rate of 37.5%. When it comes to shooting from downtown, New Mexico State knocked down 3 of 17 attempts (17.6%). They were able to bury 21 of those for a rate of 65.6%. Kennesaw State committed 23 personal fouls in the game which took the Aggies to the free throw line for 32 attempts. They turned it over 9 times, while earning 9 steals for the game. The Aggies were able to corral 25 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive boards for a total of 34 for this contest.

Zawdie Jackson was important for the Aggies for the contest. He tallied 20 points in his 33 minutes on the court, but wasn't able to earn an assist. He knocked down 6 out of 13 in this contest for a field goal percentage of 46.2%, and had 5 rebounds.

New Mexico State has a win-loss mark of 15-12 for the season. As an offense, the Aggies are shooting 41.9% from the field, which has them ranked 326th in D-1. New Mexico State has tallied 1,885 points this season (69.8 per game) and they pull in 37.4 boards per game. They are earning an assist 11.9 times per contest (308th in college hoops) and they are giving up possession 11.4 times per game. The Aggies are committing 18.6 personal fouls every game and they connect on 68.0% from the charity stripe.

The New Mexico State defense allows 28.4% from downtown (176 of 619) and their opponents are converting on 68.1% of their shots from the free throw line. They have allowed 11.4 dimes and 33.9 boards per game, which has them ranked 45th and 159th in the nation. The Aggies on the defensive side of the court are 30th in college in PPG allowed with 66.0. They are able to force 11.2 TO's every game and have let teams shoot 39.6% from the floor (15th in Division 1).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take New Mexico State

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here