Southern Illinois-Edwardsville vs Western Illinois Prediction Basketball Picks 12-31-23

The Western Illinois Leathernecks are riding a 4-game winning streak. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars need a win after splitting their last 6 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Western Illinois Leathernecks vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars prediction.

Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Preview

The Western Illinois Leathernecks beat Green Bay and Central Arkansas during this streak. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are averaging 71.9 points on 43.4 percent shooting and allowing 67.1 points on 39.5 percent shooting. James Dent Jr. is averaging 14.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Ryan Myers is averaging 12.3 points and 2 rebounds. Drew Cisse is grabbing 12.2 rebounds and Jesiah West is dishing 1.5 assists. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are shooting 31.1 percent from beyond the arc and 58.6 percent from the free throw line. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are allowing 28.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.2 rebounds per game.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars rebounded from a loss to Bradley with a win over Eastern Illinois. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are averaging 71.9 points on 44 percent shooting and allowing 68.7 points on 41.9 percent shooting. Shamar Wright is averaging 15.2 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Ray’Sean Taylor is averaging 13.1 points and 3.9 rebounds. Damarco Minor is the third double-digit scorer and Lamar Wright is dishing 1.6 assists. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 70.8 percent from the free throw line. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.2 rebounds per game.

Western Illinois Leathernecks vs SIU Edwardsville Cougars prediction

The Western Illinois Leathernecks have beaten up on no name teas all season and cant be trusted against decent competition, especially with their outside shooting and free throw numbers. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are solid on the defensive end, and they’re 7-3-1 ATS on the season. SIU Edwardsville is comfortably the better team here, and we’re not being asked to lay much. Give me SIU Edwardsville and the chalk.