UMKC vs Western Illinois 2/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Western Illinois Leathernecks (14-9) vs. UMKC Roos (14-9)
February 5, 2022 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: UMKC Roos PK ; Over/Under: 143
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Kansas City Roos meet Saturday in college basketball action from Swinney Recreation Center. Western Illinois is 14-9 so far this year and beat Oral Roberts in their last game. As for UMKC, they’re sitting at 14-9 as well. The Roos took out St. Thomas MN in their most recent outing. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Western Illinois hit a 10-6 run to start the year, falling to DePaul, Eastern Michigan, Omaha, Iowa, St. Thomas MN and Oral Roberts along the way. It’s been a 4-3 stretch since then with wins over North Dakota, North Dakota State, St. Thomas MN and Oral Roberts.
In the Oral Roberts rematch back on Thursday, the Leathernecks posted 45 points in the first half. Western Illinois was outscored 45-63 from there but hung on for the 90-85 win. Luka Barisic posted 22 points and nine rebounds to lead the team.
Over on the Kansas City side, they were sitting at 8-8 back in mid-January. The Roos are 6-1 since then, though. The wins in that time have been over North Dakota State, North Dakota, Spurgeon, Denver, Western Illinois and St. Thomas MN.
Matched up against St. Thomas MN on Thursday, the Roos had a slim one-point lead by the break. UMKC posted a 39-31 run from there in an 81-72 victory. Tops in scoring was Evan Gilyard with 19 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.
The Roos are 0-5 ATS in their last five Saturday games and 2-5 ATS in their last seven after a straight-up win. UMKC is 1-6 ATS in their last seven after an ATS win.
Meanwhile, the Leathernecks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 Saturday games and 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games. The over is 6-2 in Western Illinois’ last eight road games.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on Kansas City here. The Roos have looked great over this 6-1 stretch; the only loss was a one-point affair at Omaha. UMKC has hit 72 or more points in each of their wins during that time, and beat Western Illinois 83-75 on the road January 31. Kansas City is 4-0 in their last four home games and should be comfortable in this matchup. I think they’ll be fine on the cover/win.
