Northern Kentucky Norse vs Oakland Golden Grizzlies Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Oakland vs Northern Kentucky NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Highland Heights.

Oakland vs Northern Kentucky Prediction

Planning on watching today's Golden Grizzlies and Norse game? Catch the action at Truist Arena in Highland Heights, KY, as the Norse hosts this showdown at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Horizon League conference contest is set at 126 points, with Northern Kentucky being favored by -3 at home against Oakland.

Oakland vs. Northern Kentucky Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Northern Kentucky Norse
Where: Highland Heights at Truist Arena
Date: Saturday, January 11th
Betting Odds NKENT -3, OAK +136 | NKENT -162 O/U 126

Golden Grizzlies Preview: Do the Golden Grizzlies Stand a Chance on the Road?

Oakland Golden Grizzlies Recent Game/Games

Oakland’s season record fell to 4-12 after a 66-62 road loss to Wright State on Thursday. The Golden Grizzlies went into the game as +3 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game finished at 128, under the O/U line of 138.5.

Oakland led 28-23 at halftime but allowed 43 points in the 2nd half while scoring 34 themselves. This inability to maintain their defensive intensity in the 2nd half was a key factor in the loss.

Golden Grizzlies Offense Breakdown

Oakland's offense struggled from deep in their last game, hitting just 5 of 22 three-point attempts for a 22.7% shooting percentage. Overall, they shot 40.4% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 45.6%. Their two-point shooting was more efficient, as they connected on 51.4% of their attempts inside the arc.

Free-throw shooting was also an issue, as the Golden Grizzlies made only 11 of 19 attempts, hitting 57.9% from the line. They managed just 5 assists as a team, but grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. Buru Naivalurua and Jack Doumbia led the way with 16 points each, while Keaton Norris added 14 points, hitting 4 of 6 from three-point range.

Golden Grizzlies Team Defense

Oakland's defense gave up 66 points, with the opposing team shooting 45% from the field, making 24 of their 53 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 17 two-point baskets on 30 attempts, a 56% shooting rate.

From three-point range, the opposing team hit 7 of 23 shots, shooting 30%. They also went to the free-throw line 14 times, converting 11 of those for 78%. Oakland allowed 11 offensive rebounds in the game.

Norse Preview: Can Northern Kentucky Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

The Norse fell to 7-8 on the season after a 72-61 road loss to Youngstown State on Wednesday. Entering the game as +3 underdogs, Northern Kentucky not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 133 fell just short of the O/U line of 136.5.

Northern Kentucky struggled early, trailing 42-25 at halftime. While they outscored Youngstown State 36-30 in the second half, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Norse Offense Breakdown

Northern Kentucky struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 38.3% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.3%, and they managed only 10 assists as a team.

Juwan Maxey and Trey Robinson each scored 19 points, with Maxey hitting 5 of 8 threes. Gabe Dynes was a force on the boards, grabbing 15 rebounds while shooting 83.3% from the field.

Norse Team Defense

Despite Northern Kentucky giving up 72 points, they managed to hold their opponent to 44% shooting from the field, with 25 made baskets on 56 attempts. From two-point range, the Norse defense limited the opposition to 42% shooting, as they connected on 12 of their 28 attempts.

However, Northern Kentucky struggled to contain the three-point line, where their opponent shot 46%, making 13 of 28 attempts. The Norse also sent the other team to the free-throw line 9 times, where they converted all their attempts. On the glass, Northern Kentucky allowed 11 offensive rebounds.

Golden Grizzlies vs Norse Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Oakland has a straight up record of 1-9 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 4-6. The team averaged 61 points per game in these games.
When looking at their past ten home matchups, Northern Kentucky has an ATS record of 3-7 while averaging 72 per game. The team went 3-7 overall in these games.
In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Golden Grizzlies have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Norse have a straight up record of 8-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.