Eastern Illinois vs SIU-Edwardsville 1/12/23 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars and the Eastern Illinois Panthers meet Thursday in college basketball action from Lantz Arena. SIU Edwardsville is 12-5 overall this year. The Cougars beat Southern Indiana in their last outing. As for Eastern Illinois, they’re 6-11 following a loss to Morehead State on Saturday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

SIU Edwardsville was 8-4 over their first 12 games this year, losing to Fort Wayne, Missouri, Bradley and Illinois State. The Cougars have gone 4-1 since then, beating Saint Louis, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State and Southern Indiana. 

In the Southern Indiana game on Saturday, the Cougars posted a 35-29 edge by halftime. SIU Edwardsville hit a 34-33 run from there and won it 69-62. Damarco Minor was the lead team scorer with 27 points and 11 rebounds. 

Over on the Eastern Illinois side, they were 3-9 after 12 games this year, beating only SMWC, Blackburn and IUPUI. The Panthers are 3-2 in their last five with wins over Iowa, Lindenwood and Southern Indiana. 

Back on Saturday versus Morehead State, the Cougars were outscored 38-20 in the first half. Eastern Illinois got better on a 39-31 second-half run but still lost 69-59. Kinyon Hodges led the way on 12 points and three assists. 

PICK: I’m going to stay with SIU Edwardsville here. The Cougars have been playing pretty well over the last month or so. SIUE has hit 69 or more points in eight of their last 10 outings, and they’re 5-1 in the last six. As for Eastern Illinois, they’ve failed to hit 60 points in three of their last four games, going 2-2 in that stretch. If SIU Edwardsville plays to their capabilities in this one I don’t see Eastern Illinois keeping a cover pace.