TN-Martin vs Eastern Illinois Prediction Basketball Picks 1-4-24

The Eastern Illinois Panthers and the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks meet Thursday in college basketball action from Elam Center. Eastern Illinois sits at 6-8 overall this year. The Panthers fell to SIU Edwardsville in their latest outing. As for TN-Martin, they’re riding a three-game win streak at 9-6 on the year and coming off a win over Tennessee Tech. Let’s get into our Eastern Illinois vs. TN-Martin prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Eastern Illinois Panthers 

The Panthers managed a 5-5 run over their first 10 games this year, beating Monmouth IL, Coppin State, Eureka, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and IUPUI along the way. Since then it’s been a rough 1-3 run however, as the Skyhawks have fallen to Central Arkansas, Iowa State and SIU Edwardsville. 

Matched up against SIU Edwardsville back on Friday, the Panthers were down 33-27 at halftime. Eastern Illinois didn’t get any closer than that, falling 67-58 after a 34-31 second half. Topping the team with 23 points and five rebounds off the bench was Kyndall Davis. 

TN-Martin Skyhawks 

Over on the TN-Martin side, they managed a .500 run over their first 12 games. The wins in that time were versus Champion Christian, Brescia, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Chicago State and Ecclesia. The Skyhawks have won three straight since then over William Woods, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. 

In Saturday’s game versus Tennessee Tech, the Skyhawks were up by five points going into the second half. TN-Martin hit a 45-42 run from there and won it 81-73. All five starters scored in double-figures, including Jordan Sears with his 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. TN-Martin is 9-6 in the OVC standings.

ANDREW’S FREE EASTERN ILLINOIS VS. TN-MARTIN PREDICTION 

I’ll just stick with TN-Martin. The Skyhawks have put together some nice wins over their last trio, and the Tennessee Tech matchup was no different. TN-Martin put up 43.8 percent from the field in that one with 39.3 percent (11-of-28) from 3-point range and 38 rebounds. That makes a combined 172 points in the last two victories for the Skyhawks. 

As for Eastern Illinois, they’re coming off a pretty flat loss versus SIU Edwardsville and haven’t reached 59 points in either of their last two losses. If TN Martin can hit the 70-point mark or so in this one, I don’t think the Panthers will keep pace.