Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Tennessee State Tigers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 2/6/25
Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Leathernecks and Tigers. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Tigers at Gentry Center in Nashville, TN. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Ohio Valley conference game currently have Tennessee State as the -8.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 140.5 points.
WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS VS TENNESSEE STATE TIGERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Tennessee State Tigers -8.5
This game will be played at Gentry Center at 8:00 ET on Thursday, February 6th.
WHY BET THE TENNESSEE STATE TIGERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-69 in favor of the Tigers.
- Not only will Tennessee State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -8.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 140.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.
Is a Win at Nashville Possible for the Leathernecks?
Western Illinois Leathernecks Recent Game/Games
The Leathernecks fell to 5-15 on the season after a 69-65 home loss to SIUE on Saturday. Western Illinois entered the game as +4 point underdogs, and the final score resulted in a push against the spread. The total points for the game were 134, surpassing the over/under line of 129.5.
Western Illinois trailed 37-29 at halftime but managed to outscore SIUE 36-32 in the second half. Despite the improved play after the break, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Western Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 37.5% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.2%, but they did manage to hit 78.6% of their free throws. The Leathernecks grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and dished out 11 assists.
Marko Maletic and Ray’Sean Taylor both hit 5 threes, with Taylor shooting 55.6% from deep. Maletic finished 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 shot 71.4% from the field, finishing with 14 points and 7 boards.
Western Illinois held their opponent to 69 points on 37% shooting from the field, including 40% on two-point attempts (18/44). They also limited three-point damage, with their opponent hitting just 6 of 20 from beyond the arc, a 30% success rate.
From the free-throw line, Western Illinois sent their opponent to the stripe 14 times, where they converted 11 attempts for 78%. The Leathernecks gave up 17 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can the Tigers Lock in a Home Win?
Tennessee State Tigers Recent Game/Games
The Tigers’ season record dropped to 7-13 following a narrow 89-87 loss to Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. Tennessee State, who entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread in the loss.
After trailing 32-31 at halftime, the Tigers scored 46 points in the 2nd half but allowed 45, resulting in the close loss. The game’s total points of 176 exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 149.5.
Tennessee State put up 87 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.2%. They connected on 53.3% of their two-point attempts and went 6-for-17 from beyond the arc, hitting 35.3% of their threes. At the free-throw line, they shot 80.8%, making 21 of 26 attempts.
Aaron Nkrumah led the way with 26 points and 5 assists, while Rob Martin added 22 points and 5 assists, hitting both of his three-point attempts. Ronald Jessamy was efficient inside, shooting 72.7% from the field and finishing with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Despite Tennessee State’s defensive efforts, they allowed 89 points, with their opponents shooting 52% from the field. This included 58% shooting on two-pointers, as they went 24/41.
From beyond the arc, Tennessee State’s defense gave up 6 threes on 16 attempts, a 37% shooting rate. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 30 times, where they converted 23 for 76%.