Western Kentucky vs North Texas 1/5/23 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The North Texas Mean Green and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet Thursday in college basketball action from Diddle Arena. North Texas is 11-3 overall this year. The Mean Green beat FIU in their last game. As for Western Kentucky, they’re 8-5 after a loss to Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

North Texas managed to go 10-2 over their first dozen games this year, taking losses to only Saint Mary’s and UNC Wilmington along the way. The Mean Green have since lost to Florida Atlantic and beaten FIU. 

In the FIU game on Saturday, North Texas posted a 35-20 edge going into the second half. The Mean Green kept the pace from there and won 72-57. Tylor Perry topped the team with 20 points and four rebounds. 

Over on the Western Kentucky side, they were 8-2 after 10 games this year with losses to Akron and Louisville. The Hilltoppers have since lost three straight to South Carolina, Rice and Middle Tennessee. 

Matched up against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, the Hilltoppers were up 27-19 by halftime. Western Kentucky faltered on a 46-33 deficit from there and lost 65-60. Emmanuel Akot led the way on 14 points and six rebounds in the defeat. 

PICK: I’ll probably stick with North Texas. The Mean Green had a rough loss to Florida Atlantic 50-46 last Thursday, however outside of that they’re doing well on this 6-1 stretch. North Texas has only been above 62 points twice in the last six games however, so don’t be surprised to see more of a reserved points total in this one. As for Western Kentucky, they had a bad second half against Middle Tennessee in their last game and they’re flailing on a four-game losing streak. This will be a tough game for the Hilltoppers as well.