Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Northern Iowa Panthers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/19/24

Planning on watching today’s Leathernecks and Panthers game? Catch the action at McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, IA, as the Panthers hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Northern Iowa as the -14.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 134.5 points.

WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS VS NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Western Illinois Leathernecks +14.5

This game will be played at McLeod Center at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, November 19th.

WHY BET THE WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Panthers.
• Even though we have Northern Iowa winning straight-up, we like Western Illinois at +14.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 134.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Does Western Illinois Stand a Chance on the Road?

Western Illinois Leathernecks Recent Game/Games

Western Illinois picked up a 63-61 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday, November 16th. The Leathernecks were at home and entered the game as -7.5 favorites. Despite the win, they didn’t cover the spread.

After trailing 28-23 at halftime, Western Illinois turned things around by scoring 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33. The game’s total points of 124 fell short of the O/U line of 137.

Western Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 38.9% from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 29 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.3%, and they connected on 65% of their free throws, making 13 of 20.

Layne Taylor led the Leathernecks with 21 points, hitting 5 of 13 threes, while Ryan Myers added 18 points, despite shooting 26.1% overall and 25% from deep. Sean Smith was efficient, shooting 66.7% from the field and 75% from three, finishing with 17 points and 4 assists.

Western Illinois put on a strong defensive performance, holding their opponent to just 61 points on 38% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective in defending the three-point line, where they limited the opposition to 8 made threes on 29 attempts, a 27% success rate.

Inside the arc, their opponent shot 52%, converting 13 of 25 two-point attempts. From the free-throw line, Western Illinois sent them to the stripe 20 times, where they made 13, shooting 65%. The Leathernecks also gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Can The Panthers Secure a Home Victory?

On Thursday, November 14th, the Panthers fell 79-73 on the road to Wichita State. Northern Iowa entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 152 came just under the 152.5-point O/U line.

After trailing 34-32 at halftime, the Panthers put up 41 points in the 2nd half but couldn’t slow down the Shockers, who scored 45 points after the break.

Northern Iowa put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 47.5% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 20 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 54.2%, and they connected on 51.3% of their two-point shots.

Jacob Hutson led the way with 22 points, shooting 50% from the field and 3 of 6 from deep. Corey Washington added 19 points, hitting both of his three-point attempts, while Tytan Anderson contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Northern Iowa’s defense gave up 79 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 42% from the field on 27 of 63 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 21 two-point baskets on 48 tries, a 43% conversion rate.

From beyond the arc, Northern Iowa’s opponents hit 6 three-pointers on 15 attempts, shooting 40%. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 19 free throws, good for 79%. Northern Iowa gave up 14 offensive rebounds.