The NJIT Highlanders take on the Butler Bulldogs in Indianapolis, IN. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Butler is favored by -32 points on the spread with the total set at 149.5 points.
Here’s my NJIT vs. Butler prediction and college basketball picks for December 22, 2025.
NJIT vs Butler Prediction
My Pick: Butler -32.5 (Play to -33)
My NJIT vs Butler best bet is on the Bulldogs against the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
NJIT vs. Butler Odds
| NJIT Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+32.5 -110 | 149.5 -108o / -112u | OFF |
| Butler Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-32.5 -110 | 149.5 -108o / -112u | OFF |
- NJIT vs Butler spread: Butler -32.5
- NJIT vs Butler over/under: 148.5 points
NJIT vs Butler College Basketball Betting Preview
NJIT Basketball
NJIT is off to a tough start this season, entering Christmas week with a 4-8 record, while sitting 352nd in KenPom.
Each of the Highlanders' wins has been against Division I foes, with the most notable win coming at Fordham. However, high-major teams have had their way with NJIT, as Cincinnati and Louisville beat it by margins of nearly 30 points.
Shooting will be a huge priority for NJIT. It's one of the worst offensive teams in America (360th in offensive efficiency) with 48% of its shots coming from deep. The Highlanders drill 31% of those perimeter jumpers, but they shoot just 48% from inside the arc.
The top four scorers for NJIT are all guards. Freshman David Bolden leads the squad with 11 points per game, while Ari Fulton — a guard playing as an undersized four — adds 10 a night.
Next up are Sebastian Robinson and Jeremy Clayville, who pitch in around eight points per game.
The issue is three of these four players are shooting 34% from the field. They're a terribly inefficient bunch, and they all struggle to score inside the arc.
Defensively, NJIT could be in a tough spot here. While being ranked 261st in defensive efficiency isn't horrible, the bigger concern is ending defensive possessions. Butler is a top-20 offensive rebounding unit, and NJIT allows opponents to grab 36% of their misses.
Butler Basketball
Butler is one of the better teams in a Big East that's been a total disappointment thus far. The Bulldogs are 9-3, with each of their losses coming to potential NCAA Tournament squads.
The Bulldogs have dominated the teams they should dominate. The only teams on Butler's schedule in a similar range to NJIT are Chicago State, IU Indy and Southern Indiana — and they won each game by 30+ points.
Thad Matta's squad has a few pivotal ingredients that lend well to blowing out bad teams. I already touched on the rebounding, but Butler's big man tandem of Michael Ajayi and Drayton Jones will be a load to handle.
Ajayi has made a mockery of opposing teams' big men. The former All-WCC stud at Pepperdine is on his way to All-Big East nods in Indy, averaging 16 points while being second nationally with 12.3 rebounds per game.
Another key aspect to blowing out inferior fouls is getting to the foul line, and Butler ranks 38th in KenPom's FTA/FGA metric.
Plus, the Bulldogs are looking to push the tempo and score. They won't wait around and feel the game out; their 95th spot in adjusted tempo tells the story.
Butler is steady on both ends of the floor. Being 61st in offensive efficiency and 62nd in defensive efficiency, per KenPom, provides the Bulldogs with a solid floor.
Also, keep an eye on Finley Bizjack. In his third year at Butler, he's grown into a monster, leading the Bulldogs with 16.8 points per game. He can score 25-30 on any given night (or afternoon), so NJIT has to guard him closely.
NJIT vs. Butler Betting Analysis
I'm rolling with the Bulldogs.
I know it's a big number in a buy game just before Christmas.
It's a scary thought, but NJIT is a truly terrible bunch, and Butler, if it plays hard, it has all the ingredients to cover this line.
My Pick: Butler -32.5 (Play to -33)
