Eastern Illinois Panthers vs SIUE Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 2/4/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Panthers versus the Cougars? Tip off is at at 8:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville, IL. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 132.5 points, and SIUE is favored by -7.5 to win at home against Eastern Illinois.
EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS VS SIUE COUGARS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Eastern Illinois Panthers +7.5
This game will be played at Vadalabene Center at 8:30 ET on Tuesday, February 4th.
WHY BET THE EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-71 in favor of the Cougars.
- Even though we have SIUE winning straight-up, we like Eastern Illinois at +7.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 132.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Do the Panthers Have a Shot at a Road Win?
Eastern Illinois Panthers Recent Game/Games
The Panthers improved to 5-16 on the season with a 76-70 road win over Lindenwood on Saturday. Eastern Illinois entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the victory.
Eastern Illinois led 32-29 at halftime and scored 44 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The total points for the game were 146, going over the pre-game O/U line of 133.5.
Eastern Illinois put up 76 points in their last game, shooting 41% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 17 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.9%, and they connected on 19 of 25 free throws, good for 76%.
Markeith Browning II led the way with 27 points, shooting 64.7% overall and 60% from three. Zion Fruster was perfect from deep, hitting both of his attempts, while Reggie Bass dished out 5 assists. The Panthers grabbed 16 offensive rebounds but only recorded 8 assists as a team.
Despite giving up 70 points, Eastern Illinois held their opponent to 38% shooting from the field, with 24 made baskets on 63 attempts. They limited two-point shots to 43% shooting, with the other team hitting 20 of 46.
The Panthers also defended the three-point line well, allowing just 4 made threes on 17 attempts, a 23% shooting rate. They sent their opponent to the free-throw line 25 times, where they made 18, shooting 72%. Eastern Illinois gave up 15 offensive rebounds.
Can the Cougars Grab a Win at Home?
SIUE Cougars Recent Game/Games
SIUE improved to 12-8 on the season with a 69-65 road win over Western Illinois on Saturday. The Cougars were -4 favorites, and the game ended in a push against the spread. The total points of 134 went over the pre-game line of 129.5.
SIUE led 37-29 at halftime but allowed 36 points in the second half while scoring 32. Despite the tighter second half, the Cougars held on for the win.
In their latest game, the SIUE Cougars put up 69 points, shooting 40.3% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 45.2%, and they hit 70.6% of their free throws, going 12-for-17 from the line. The Cougars also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 13 assists.
Marko Maletic and Ray’Sean Taylor led the way, each hitting 5 threes, with Maletic finishing with 24 points and 7 rebounds, while Taylor added 23 points and 4 assists. Kyle Thomas contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Ring Malith was efficient, shooting 71.4% from the field and adding 14 points and 7 boards.
SIUE’s defense held their opponent to 65 points, with a field goal percentage of 37% (24/64). They limited two-point shooting to 40% (18/44).
From beyond the arc, the Cougars allowed 6 threes on 20 attempts (30%). Their opponent shot 78% from the free-throw line, making 11 of 14.