Western Illinois vs Denver College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 2/12/21

The Denver Pioneers and the Western Illinois Leathernecks meet Friday in college basketball action from Western Hall. 

Denver enters this one at 2-13 so far. The Pioneers broke a lengthy losing streak with a win over North Dakota in their last game. As for Western Illinois, they’re 5-12 this year. The Leathernecks have won three straight over North Dakota and Omaha. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Denver was able to beat Regis in their opener but then hit a 13-game losing streak from December 6 through February 5. The Pioneers lost to South Dakota, Oral Roberts, North Dakota State and North Dakota before getting a win over the Hawks in the rematch Saturday. 

In the 85-81 overtime win versus North Dakota, Denver’s Jase Townsend put up 23 points with four rebounds and two assists, while Eric Moenkhaus had 17 points with two boards and one assist. Sam Hines chipped in with 13 points, six boards and two assists. 

Over on the Western Illinois side, they were only able to bag two wins in their first 14 games, beating Mount St. Joseph and Tennessee-Martin. After an eight-game losing streak, the Leathernecks have beaten North Dakota and Omaha in their last three. 

In the 75-73 win over Omaha on Saturday, Western Illinois’ Will Carius put up 22 points with three rebounds. Colton Sandage and Justin Brookens each notched 11 points, combining for seven assists and four rebounds as well. 

The Leathernecks are 4-0 ATS in their last four Friday games and 4-0 ATS in their last four overall. Western Illinois is 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 home games and the over is 4-1 in their last five overall.
Meanwhile, the Pioneers are 5-0 ATS in their last five Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games. Denver is 6-2 ATS in the last eight after an ATS win and the over is 5-1 in their last six overall. 

PICK: I’m sticking with Western Illinois. The Pioneers are surely relieved to get off that 13-game losing streak, and they had a few close calls and near-wins in that stretch. That said, the Leathernecks have been playing well lately with 74 or more points in each of their last five games. I think Denver will hang around for a while with the Leathernecks ultimately pulling away.