Western Illinois vs South Dakota State 1/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits will travel to LeRoy A. Ufkes Court at Western Hall to take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits won their 7^th straight game and improved to 16-4 on the season after defeating the St. Thomas – Minnesota Tommies, 92-77, this past Thursday. South Dakota State was outstanding offensively against St. Thomas – Minnesota and pulled away later after taking an 83-75 lead with 2:15 left in regulation. South Dakota State shot 63.8% from the field & 55.0% from beyond the arc while allowing St. Thomas – Minnesota to shoot 46.0% from the field & 41.2% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Jackrabbits was Alex Arians who had 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, South Dakota State is averaging 87.3 ppg on 52.0% shooting from the field. The Jackrabbits are averaging 10.2 three-pointers per game on 44.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, South Dakota State has been led by Noah Freidel (18.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 apg), Baylor Scheierman (14.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 spg), Douglas Wilson (14.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.4 apg), & Alex Arians (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg).

Defensviely, South Dakota State is allowing their opponents to average 75.3 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The Jackrabbits have a rebound margin of 4.9 and a turnover margin of 0.1.

The Western Illinois Leathernecks won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 12-6 on the season after defeating the North Dakota State Bison, 90-79 (OT), this past Saturday. Western Illinois allowed North Dakota State to fight back from a 48-34 halftime deficit to force OT, however, the Leathernecks dominated North Dakota State and had no trouble picking up the victory after taking an 86-77 lead just 1:24 left in OT. Western Illinois shot 49.3% from the field & 30.4% from beyond the arc while allowing North Dakota State to shoot 43.9% from the field & 32.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Leathernecks was Trenton Massner who had a double-double with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, & 3 steals.

On the season, Western Illinois is averaging 80.5 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The Leathernecks are averaging 9.4 three-pointers per game on 34.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Illinois has been led by Will Carius (16.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg), Trenton Massner (16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.6 spg), Colton Sandage (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg), & Luka Barisic (13.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg).

Defensively, Western Illinois is allowing their opponents to average 75.1 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Leathernecks have a rebound margin of 3.3 and a turnover margin of 2.2.

The Jackrabbits are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Western Illinois & 13-2-1 ATS in their last 16 Saturday road games. The Leathernecks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games, however, are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Saturday games.

South Dakota State has been led by their explosive offense which ranks 3^rd in scoring offense, 2^nd in FG%, & 1^st in 3P-FG%, however, the defense has allowed plenty of points and comes into this matchup ranked 308^th in scoring defense & 278^th in defensive FG%. Western Illinois is also led by their offense which ranks 21^st in scoring offense 7 40^th in three-pointers made per game, however, like South Dakota State, have struggled defensively as the Leathers rank just 304^th in scoring defense & 282^nd in defensive FG%.

If you like points, you’re going to enjoy this matchup as we should see both teams have no problem reaching 80+ points in this one. South Dakota State is the better team, however, Western Illinois is 6-1 at home this season with their one loss in a competitive 87-86 loss against a very good Oral Roberts team, and as I think the Leathernecks offense will be able to keep up with the Jackrabbits, I’m taking Western Illinois to cover with the points. Good Luck!