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The Grambling State Tigers take on the Northern Illinois Huskies in Rock Hill, SC. Tip-off is set for 3 a.m. ET on YouTube.
Northern Illinois is favored by -5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -238. The total is set at 147.5 points.
Here's my Grambling State vs. Northern Illinois predictionand college basketball picks for November 2, 2026.
Pick: Under 147.5
My Grambling State vs. Northern Illinois best betis on the under. Be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page and download the Action Network app for the latest picks and analysis.
Grambling State vs. Northern Illinois spread:Grambling State +5.5 (-110), Northern Illinois -5.5 (-110)
Grambling State vs. Northern Illinois over/under:147.5 (-110 /-110)
Grambling State vs. Northern Illinois moneyline:Grambling State +195, Northern Illinois -238
The Tigers are coming off a rough 2025-26 season, as they were the worst 3-point shooting team in the SWAC.
Overall, they were atrocious offensively, ranking near the bottom of the country in points per game (299th) and effective field goal percentage (295th), while ranking in the 300s in field goals made per game (330th) and turnover percentage (357th).
Second-year head coach Patrick Crarey brings in a few new faces to help rebuild this embarrassing offensive unit.
Most notably, former UT Martin guard Josue Grullon, who shot better than 36% from deep two years ago. Grullon's addition should help spread out the Tigers' offense. However, he sat out all of last season at La Salle, so it may take him a bit to get going.
Everything is brand spanking new in DeKalb, Illinois, as everyone but the football team joins the Horizon League.
The Huskies bring in former Northern Michigan head coach Matt Majkrzak, who introduces a slow, efficient style of basketball to the program.
Northern Illinois doesn't return a single starter or key reserve from a year ago, but Majkrzak brings four players with him from Northern Michigan to help him get this new era off and running.
How many of us love getting to work at 3 a.m.? Not many.
But you also don't typically just wake up and, boom, you're at work. Obviously, unless you're like me and type from home.
On top of that, both teams are probably arriving at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at least two hours beforehand. That means these kids are getting to work basically an hour into the day on Monday.
Last season, we saw just how putrid Grambling's offense was while trying to speed up its tempo. The Tigers ranked 165th in possessions per game and don't have much familiarity returning, aside from Chancellor Perkins and Mekhi Fitts, who combined for just 4.4 points per game last season.
Plus, deep-threat transfer Josue Grullon hasn't suited up since March 5, 2025, so it may take some time for this group to get rolling offensively.
Knowing that Majkrzak will have his boys playing a more methodical, slower style of basketball, looking for the best possible shot on each possession, that should work in Northern Illinois' favor.
The Huskies also have much more familiarity with the style their head coach is trying to instill, which should give NIU another edge.
This game should stay well below the 147.5-point total.
Pick: Under 147.5
