SIUE Cougars vs Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/7/25

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Cougars versus the Panthers? Tip off is at at 8:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Groniger Arena in Charleston, IL. SIUE is favored by -2.5 in this Ohio Valley conference contest against Eastern Illinois. The game’s over/under currently sits at 132.5 points.

SIUE COUGARS VS EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Eastern Illinois Panthers +2.5

This game will be played at Groniger Arena at 8:30 ET on Tuesday, January 7th.

WHY BET THE EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Panthers.
• Not only will Eastern Illinois pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 132.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Will the Cougars Make it Happen on the Road?

SIUE evened their record at 6-6 with a 58-47 win over Lindenwood on Saturday. Playing at home, the Cougars entered the game as -7.5 favorites and covered the spread.

SIUE led 34-29 at halftime and clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 18 points while scoring 24. The game’s total points (105) fell well short of the O/U line of 137.5.

SIUE struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 34.8% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.4%, and they managed only 58 points, with a free-throw shooting percentage of 50%.

Ray’Sean Taylor led the way with 18 points, despite shooting 35.0% overall and 27.3% from three. Markeith Browning II added 16 points, while Desmond Polk contributed 15 points, hitting 75.0% of his shots and 66.7% from deep.

SIUE’s defense was on point, holding their opponent to just 47 points on 34% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts, with the opposing team making only 17 of 44 shots for 38%.

From beyond the arc, SIUE’s defense allowed 6 threes on 27% shooting. They also sent their opponent to the line 12 times, where they made 6 free throws, shooting 50%. SIUE gave up 17 offensive rebounds.

Does Eastern Illinois Stand a Chance at Home?

Eastern Illinois dropped to 2-10 on the season after a 75-67 loss to Western Illinois on Saturday. The Panthers were -2 favorites at home but failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 37-29 at halftime, Eastern Illinois scored 38 points in the 2nd half but couldn’t close the gap, as they also allowed 38 points. The total points for the game went over the O/U line of 131.5.

Eastern Illinois struggled from beyond the arc in their last game, hitting just 11.8% of their threes (2/17), but they were more effective inside, shooting 52.4% on two-point attempts (22/42). Overall, they shot 40.7% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 42.4%. The Panthers also connected on 77.3% of their free throws, going 17/22 from the line.

Offensively, they grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists. Marko Maletic led the way with 25 points, shooting 47.1% from the field and 70.0% from three (7/10). Zion Fruster added 23 points, hitting 57.1% of his shots, despite going just 1/5 from deep.

Eastern Illinois gave up 75 points in their last game, allowing their opponent to shoot 40% from the field. Most of the damage came inside, where the Panthers allowed 52% shooting on two-point attempts (22/42).

From beyond the arc, Eastern Illinois held their opponent to just 11% shooting, as they hit only 2 of 17 three-point attempts. The Panthers also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 17 for 77%.