Sacramento State vs Air Force Picks and Prediction – 11/27/2024

The Sacramento State Hornets (1-4) travel to face the Air Force Falcons (2-4) in a matchup set to tip off on November 27 at Clune Arena. Sacramento State looks to rebound from a tough 83-77 loss to California, while Air Force comes off an impressive 82-48 victory over Mercer. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Sacramento State's offense has shown flashes, averaging 72.6 points per game on 46.5% shooting. Forward Jacob Holt leads the Hornets with 15.6 points per game and contributes a team-high 5.4 rebounds. Emil Skytta directs the offense with 3.2 assists per game, while EJ Neal adds defensive energy with 1.4 steals. However, consistency has been elusive, with the Hornets dropping four straight, largely due to poor shot selection in key moments.

Defensively, the Hornets allow 66.8 points per game but struggle in transition and rebounding, as evidenced by only 37.4 boards per game. Jalen Pitre anchors the paint with 1.2 blocks per game, but the Hornets have been unable to consistently prevent second-chance points, a critical factor against teams with strong interior play.

The Air Force Falcons rely heavily on guard Ethan Taylor, who averages 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52.6% from the field. Taylor’s offensive production is supported by Jeffrey Mills, who averages 4.7 assists per game, making the Falcons effective at spreading the floor. Despite 47.9% shooting, Air Force has struggled to maintain scoring consistency against tougher defenses.

Defensively, the Falcons allow 68 points per game and have struggled against teams with high field goal percentages. The team’s rebounding remains a concern, with just 30.2 per game, putting pressure on Taylor to contribute heavily on the boards. Wesley Celichowski adds rim protection with one block per game, but Air Force will need more collective effort to stifle Sacramento State’s offense.

The Falcons’ offensive efficiency and recent momentum from a blowout win over Mercer give them the edge. Sacramento State’s inconsistency, particularly in rebounding and on defense, will likely be the Hornets’ downfall against a more cohesive Air Force unit. Final Score Prediction: Air Force Falcons win and cover 75-68.