The Western Illinois Leathernecks and the Central Arkansas Bears meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Farris Center. Western Illinois sits at 6-6 overall this year. The Leathernecks have won three straight, most recently over Eureka. As for Central Arkansas, they’re sitting at 3-9 overall and coming off a win over Eastern Illinois. Let’s get into our Western Illinois vs. Central Arkansas prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Western Illinois Leathernecks 

Western Illinois managed to win only three of their first nine games this year, taking out St. Ambrose, Southern and Hannibal-Lagrange along the way. Otherwise it was losses to UTSA, SMU, Valparaiso, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota. The Leathernecks followed that up with wins over Coe and Green Bay in the next pair, though. 

In their latest matchup versus Eureka on Monday, the Leathernecks didn’t have too many issues. Western Illinois took a 34-19 lead into the second half and didn’t look back in a 92-56 victory blowout. Leading the team in scoring were Drew Cisse (11 rebounds) and Shay Davis (bench), each with 14 points. 

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Central Arkansas Bears 

Over on the Bears’ side, they were only able to win one of their first 10 outings. That victory came over Hendrix College on November 10. Otherwise it was losses to Tulsa, AR-Pine Bluff, Vanderbilt, SEMO, Kansas State, Eastern Michigan, New Orleans, Loyola Marymount and Hawaii before a win over Little Rock 75-71. 

Central Arkansas was able to make it consecutive victories in their last game versus Eastern Illinois back on December 10. The Bears were up just one point in the locker room but still held on for the win 73-70. Tops in points was Tucker Anderson with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists. 

ANDREW’S FREE WESTERN ILLINOIS VS CENTRAL ARKANSAS PREDICTION 

I’ll stick with Western Illinois. Probably not touching this one, though; there’s not a lot to get excited about. The Leathernecks are coming off a nice game versus an overmatched Eureka team, hitting 50.8 percent from the field with a 59-31 rebounding edge. Western Illinois has now posted 68 or more points in five straight games, going 4-1 in that stretch. 

As for Central Arkansas, they’re coming off a gutsy win over Eastern Illinois. The Bears have been scoring well lately themselves with 73 or more points in three straight. I like a high total here, with Western Illinois ultimately banging out the cover/win. Should be competitive at least.