Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25
Betting on today’s Leathernecks and Panthers game? Catch the action at Groniger Arena in Charleston, IL, as the Panthers hosts this showdown at 4:30 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Ohio Valley conference game currently have Eastern Illinois as the -3.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 134.5 points.
WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS VS EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Eastern Illinois Panthers -3.5
This game will be played at Groniger Arena at 4:30 ET on Saturday, January 4th.
WHY BET THE EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-69 in favor of the Panthers.
- Not only will Eastern Illinois pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -3.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 134.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Western Illinois?
Western Illinois dropped to 4-7 on the season after a 77-66 road loss to SIUE on Thursday. The Leathernecks entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.
Western Illinois trailed 42-30 at halftime but played a tighter second half, outscoring SIUE 36-35. The total points for the game were 143, surpassing the O/U line of 133.5.
In their latest game, the Leathernecks put up 66 points, shooting 43.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 52.7%. They hit 43.5% of their threes, going 10-for-23 from deep, and were 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Marko Maletic led the way, hitting 6-of-8 from three and finishing with 28 points. Ray’Sean Taylor added 23 points, shooting 75% overall, while Brian Taylor II was 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, contributing 19 points.
Western Illinois struggled defensively, giving up 77 points on 60% shooting from the field. They allowed 30 made field goals on 50 attempts.
The Leathernecks gave up 22 two-point baskets on 37 attempts (59%) and 8 threes on 13 attempts (61%). They also sent the opposing team to the line 14 times, where they made 9 free throws (64%).
Pressure Builds for Eastern Illinois as Home Favorites
Eastern Illinois picked up a 78-74 win over Lindenwood on Thursday, improving their record to 2-9. The Panthers were favored by 3.5 points and covered the spread in the win.
After leading 35-27 at halftime, Eastern Illinois allowed 37 points in the 2nd half but held on for the win. The total points for the game reached 152, surpassing the over/under line of 137.5.
Eastern Illinois put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 54.5% from three-point range, hitting 6 of 11 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 52.8%, and they struggled at the free-throw line, making just 61.1% of their 36 attempts.
Zion Fruster led the way with 29 points, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three. Markeith Browning II added 21 points and 5 assists, while Kooper Jacobi contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, hitting both of his three-point attempts.
Eastern Illinois gave up 74 points in their last game, with their defense allowing the opposing team to shoot 47% from the field. They conceded 19 two-point baskets on 42 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Eastern Illinois allowed 6 threes on 11 attempts, with the opposing team shooting 54%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 36 times, where they made 22 free throws, shooting 61%. Eastern Illinois gave up 8 offensive rebounds.