SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction, Picks, Best Bets & Odds for College Basketball

SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction, 12/22 College Basketball Picks

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars (7-5) will face the Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-8) in a midweek college basketball clash at Western Hall in Macomb, IL. Both teams are looking to improve their records and gain momentum heading into the New Year.

SIU Edwardsville recently lost a close game to Eastern Illinois, 76-72. The Cougars shot 41.4% from the field and connected on 11 of 24 from downtown. Ring Malith was the standout performer with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. SIU Edwardsville averages 77.8 points per game while shooting 45.6% overall. Defensively, they hold opponents to 66.9 points per contest and rank 46th nationally in scoring defense.

Western Illinois dropped their last game 92-76 to Lindenwood, despite a strong individual effort from Antwaun Massey who scored 33 points on 71.4% shooting. The Leathernecks average 68.8 points per game and shoot 42.6% from the floor. Defensively, they allow 75.9 points per game and opponents shoot 46.1% against them. Western Illinois has struggled on the boards, averaging 35.3 rebounds per game.

Key Matchup Factors:

1. SIU Edwardsville’s efficient offense vs. Western Illinois’s defensive struggles.
2. Ring Malith’s scoring ability vs. Antwaun Massey’s offensive production.
3. Cougars’ strong perimeter defense limiting 3-point shooting against Leathernecks.
4. Turnover battle: Cougars force 14.1 turnovers per game, Leathernecks force 11.0.
5. Rebounding advantage likely in favor of SIUE with better board production.

SIU Edwardsville’s balanced attack and stouter defense appear to give them a slight edge in this contest. Their ability to limit third-point efficiency and capitalize on turnovers will be crucial. Western Illinois needs more production beyond Massey and better defensive consistency to compete effectively at home.

The game will air on ESPN+. Fans should watch for how well Western Illinois can contain SIUE’s sharpshooters and control the tempo. Both teams have flaws but SIU Edwardsville’s recent performance trends and stronger defensive metrics point toward a probable road victory.

For bettors, the best plays include monitoring SIU Edwardsville’s shooting efficiency and turnover margin. Expect a competitive game with a modest scoring spread favoring the Cougars. This matchup offers an intriguing test of offensive firepower against defensive resilience in the Missouri Valley Conference battle.