Nebraska-Omaha vs Western Illinois College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 2/5/21

The Western Illinois Leathernecks and Omaha Mavericks meet Friday in college basketball action at the Baxter Arena.

The Western Illinois Leathernecks need a win after losing eight of their last nine games. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are averaging 72 points on 40.7 percent shooting and allowing 79.1 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Will Carius is averaging 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds while Tamell Pearson is averaging 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds. Rod Johnson Jr. is grabbing 5.8 rebounds and Justin Brookens is dishing 1.7 assists. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc and 69.8 percent from the free throw line. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are allowing 38.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.7 rebounds per game.

The Omaha Mavericks look to snap a 10-game losing streak. The Omaha Mavericks are averaging 66.4 points on 41.3 percent shooting and allowing 80.8 points on 48.1 percent shooting. Marlon Ruffin is averaging 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds while Matt Pile is averaging 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Ayo Akinwole is dishing 2.8 assists and Wanjang Tut is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Omaha Mavericks are shooting 31.4 percent from beyond the arc and 66.8 percent from the free throw line. The Omaha Mavericks are allowing 39.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.8 rebounds per game.

The Leathernecks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. The Mavericks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall. The over is 6-1 in Leathernecks last 7 overall. The over is 6-0 in Mavericks last 6 overall. The road team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

Neither of these teams are good, but I’m certainly not laying chalk with a team that’s lost 10 straight games. The Omaha Mavericks are losing their last five games by an average of 12.6 points and are losing at home by an average of 11.5 points. I don’t care what team is on the other side, I’m not laying points with that team. This is a game you should avoid, but I’d grab the free buckets with the Western Illinois Leathernecks if forced to pick.