Southern Utah vs Eastern Kentucky Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/21/23

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Southern Utah Thunderbirds meet Tuesday in CBI Tournament college basketball action from Ocean Center. Eastern Kentucky is 22-13 overall this year. The Colonels eked out an overtime victory over Indiana State on Monday. As for Southern Utah, they’re 24-12 on the season. The Thunderbirds beat Rice in their Monday tournament matchup. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Eastern Kentucky Colonels 

The Colonels were 19-12 at the end of the regular season. Eastern Kentucky would then beat North Alabama 73-48 in the Atlantic Sun Tournament but then fell to Liberty 79-73 in their second appearance. The Colonels bounced back with a 91-75 win over Cleveland State in the CBI on Sunday. 

In game two of the tournament on Monday, the Colonels overcame a 47-43 halftime deficit to force overtime. After a 9-8 edge in the extra period, Eastern Kentucky powered out the win 89-88. Devontae Blanton led the team on 32 points, and Isaiah Cozart doubled on 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Over on the Southern Utah side, they were 20-11 through the regular season. The Thunderbirds would then take out Utah Tech 76-75 and Utah Valley 89-88 in the WAC Tournament before a loss to Grand Canyon 84-66. In the first game of the CBI, the Thunderbirds beat North Alabama 72-50.

Matched up against Rice on Monday, the Thunderbirds were up 49-37 by the break. Southern Utah had to scramble against a 42-32 second-half deficit but still eked out a win 81-79. Tevian Jones led the way with his 30 points and six rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on Eastern Kentucky here. The Colonels played a great game versus a good Indiana State team on Monday, ultimately shooting 49.3 percent from the field with 32 rebounds and 14 team assists. Eastern Kentucky was solid from 3-point range (9-of-21) and the line (12-of-14) as well. That makes four straight games with at least 73 points scored for the Colonels. As for Southern Utah, they faded a bit in the second half against Rice. The Thunderbirds shot well (51.7 percent) in that one, but got out-rebounded 44-42 (21-10 offensive) and coughed up 13 turnovers to the Owls’ five. Southern Utah has had some very close calls lately, so if Eastern Kentucky plays well I think the Colonels can follow along.