Belmont vs Southeast Missouri State 1/6/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will travel to the Curb Event Center Arena to take on the Belmont Bruins this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks snapped their 5-game losing streak and improved to 6-9 on the season after defeating the Austin Peay Governors, 98-79, this past Saturday. Southeast Missouri State was lights out on the offensive end against Austin Peay and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking a 74-56 lead with 8:33 left in regulation. Southeast Missouri State shot 53.1% from the field & 60.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Austin Peay to shoot 42.6% from the field & 23.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Redhawks was Eric Reed Jr. who had 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Southeast Missouri State is averaging 74.6 ppg on 43.4% shooting from the field. The Redhawks are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game on 34.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Southeast Missouri State has been led by Eric Reed Jr. (16.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg), Phillip Russell (15.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg), Chris Harris (10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg), & Nygal Russell (7.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 apg).

Defensively, Southeast Missouri State is allowing their opponents to average 79.9 ppg on 45.5% shooting from the field. The Redhawks have a rebound margin of -4.3 and a turnover margin of -0.6.

The Belmont Bruins won their 5^th straight game and improved to 10-3 on the season after defeating Bethel (IN), 115-86, on December 18^th. Belmont led by a 51-44 margin at halftime and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking an 87-72 lead with 7:32 left in regulation. Belmont shot 55.9% from the field & 43.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Bethel (IN) to shoot 52.5% from the field & 47.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bruins was Luke Smith who had 21 points, 2 rebounds, & 3 assists.

On the season, Belmont is averaging 80.5 ppg on 48.7% shooting from the field. The Bruins are averaging 9.4 three-pointers per game on 35.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Belmont has been led by Nick Muszynski (16.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 bpg), Ben Sheppard (16.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.7 apg), Will Richard (11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg), & Luke Smith (9.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Belmont is allowing their opponents to average 71.8 ppg on 43.7% shooting from the field. The Bruins have a rebound margin of -0.3 and a turnover margin of 2.8.

The Redhawks are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall & 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games. The Bruins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.

Southeast Missouri State has been led by their offense which ranks 126^th in scoring offense, however, the Redhawks have struggled defensively as they come into this matchup ranked just 341^st in scoring defense & 306^th in defensive FG%. Belmont once again has a high-powered offense that ranks 26^th in scoring offense, 22^nd in FG%, & t-46^th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Bruins have had trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard as they come into this matchup ranked just 256^th in scoring defense & 242^nd in defensive FG%.

There is no doubt that Belmont is going to win this game, however, this is a lot of points to cover against a Southeast Missouri State team that can score the basketball. Belmont is going to put up plenty of points in this one, however, the Bruins have struggle defensively this season and as I think the Redhawks will be able to put up some points in this one, I think the play here is to take Southeast Missouri State and the points. Good Luck!