Eastern Kentucky at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville: 1/14/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougars (3-4) vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels (11-2)
Game Info: Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:00 pm (Sam M. Vadalabene Center)
Betting Odds: Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougars +7.5 -- Over/Under: 147.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels will travel to the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center to take on the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars this Thursday night in College Basketball action.
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels won their 6th straight game and improved to 11-2 on the season after defeating the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, 90-80, this past Saturday. Eastern Kentucky allowed Tennessee Tech to fight into the game after the Colonels held a 59-49 lead early in the 2nd half, however, Eastern Kentucky was able to secure the victory late after closing out the final 2:49 of regulation on a 10-0 run. Eastern Kentucky shot 47.3% from the field and 43.2% from beyond the arc while Tennessee Tech shot 48.3% from the field and 48.4% from beyond the arc. Eastern Kentucky outrebounded Tennessee Tech by a 36-33 margin while also winning the turnover battle by a 16-10 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Colonels was Tre King who had 29 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 block.
On the season, Eastern Kentucky is averaging 81.3 ppg on 43.2% shooting from the field. The Colonels are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 30.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Eastern Kentucky has been led by Tre King (17.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 2.2 spg, 1.2 bpg), Wendell Green Jr. (12.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.8 spg), Curt Lewis (10.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg), & Michael Moreno (9.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 spg).
Defensively, Eastern Kentucky is allowing their opponents to average 69.2 ppg on 41.4% shooting from the field. The Colonels have a rebound margin of -2.2 and a turnover margin of 8.2.
The SIU-Edwardsville have had their last 6 games postponed due to Covid-19 protocols and come into this game with an overall record of 3-4 after defeating the Morehead State Eagles, 69-65, on December 18th. SIU-Edwardsville was outstanding on both ends of the court against Morehead State and had no trouble hanging on for the victory after taking a 62-52 lead with 6:57 left in regulation. SIU-Edwardsville shot 50.0% from both the field and from beyond the arc while holding Morehead State to just 35.8% shooting from the field and 24.1% from beyond the arc. SIU-Edwardsville was outrebounded by Morehead State by a 42-30 margin, however, did force 18 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Cougars was Sidney Wilson who had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.
On the season, SIU-Edwardsville is averaging 68.0 ppg on 46.6% shooting from the field. The Cougars are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 37.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, SIU-Edwardsville has been led by Sidney Wilson (13.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg), Mike Adewunmi (11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Cam Williams (8.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), & Courtney Carter (5.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.0 spg).
Defensively, SIU-Edwardsville is allowing their opponents to average 70.1 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Cougars have a rebound margin of -3.4 and a turnover margin of -1.6.
The Colonels are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games and 19-5-2 ATS in their last 26 games overall. The Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, however, are just 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Eastern Kentucky is known for their offense, however, they have also been incredible in forcing turnovers this season as the Colonels come into this game ranked 1st in both steals per game & turnover margin. SIU-Edwardsville hasn’t played for about a month and between the fact that they lost by combined 59 points to St. Louis & Valparaiso and that I just don’t see the Cougars offense being able to keep up with the Colonels, I think the play here is to take Eastern Kentucky and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Eastern Kentucky Colonels -7.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
