Western Illinois (8-8) vs Tennessee State (5-11)
Game Info: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 4:30 pm (Western Hall)
Betting Odds: Western Illinois -1 -- Over/Under: 146.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Tennessee State Tigers and the Western Illinois Leathernecks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Western Hall. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tennessee State vs. Western Illinois prediction.
Tennessee State Recap
The Tennessee State Tigers come into this game looking to bounce back after a 72-62 loss to Lindenwood last time out to fall to 4-11 on the year. After this game, Tennessee State will head home for a game against SIU Edwardsville.
Tigers Lose 4th In Last 5 And 8th In Last 10
Brandon Weston leads the Tigers in scoring and rebounding with 17.3 PPG along with 5.4 RPG while Travis Harper II has 11.1 PPG with 4.4 RPG in 7 games played so far this season and Carlous Williams has 10 PPG with 4 RPG. Aaron Nkrumah has 10.3 PPG with 5.2 RPG and 2.7 APG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Tennessee State up to this point in the year. Justus Jackson has 8.4 PPG with 3.1 RPG and a team-high 2.7 APG to lead the Tigers in the assist department as well on the year. As a team, Tennessee State is averaging 79.2 PPG on 45.3% shooting from the field, 28.9% from three, and 64.2% from the foul line this season.
Why the Tennessee State Tigers will win
- Western Illinois has lost nine of its last 10 games after coming off overtime.
Western Illinois Recap
The Western Illinois Leathernecks come into this game looking to bounce back from an 85-83 loss at the hands of UT-Martin last time out to fall to 8-8 on the year. After this game, Western Illinois will head on the road for a matchup against Morehead State.
Leathernecks Looking For Rebound
Marko Maletic leads the Leathernecks in scoring with 17.8 PPG along with 3.1 RPG while Ryan Myers has 15.4 PPG with 2.9 RPG and Sean Smith has 11.6 PPG with 5.6 RPG and a team-high 4.5 APG and 1.6 SPG to lead the Leathernecks in assists and steals and to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Western Illinois up to this point in the year. Julius Rollins has 9.9 PPG with 4.4 RPG while Tay Knox has 5.4 PPG and a team-high 6.7 RPG to lead the Leathernecks on the glass up to this point in the year. As a team, Western Illinois is averaging 71.6 PPG on 45% shooting from the field, 36.6% from behind the arc and 71% from the foul line so far this season.
Why the Western Illinois Leathernecks will win
- Western Illinois has won five of its last six games at Western Hall.
- Tennessee State has lost five of its last six games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of Western Illinois' last 11 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
- Seven of Tennessee State's last eight day games have produced a total of 147+ points.
Tennessee State vs. Western Illinois Prediction
I’m leaning toward Western Illinois here. I just haven’t liked the form that Tennessee State’s been in for the better part of the last month and a half, and Western Illinois is a decent home team. Plus, I’m not getting enough points to consider Tennessee State here as we’re bordering on a pick ‘em with a Tennessee State squad that’s winless straight up on the road this season. I think Western Illinois defends home court in this one and I’ll back the Leathernecks to get the job done here.
Chris’s Pick Western Illinois -1
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
