Central Arkansas vs Western Illinois Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/16/24

The Central Arkansas Bears are visiting the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Saturday, November 16th at the LeRoy A. Ufkes Court at Western Hall. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Central Arkansas Bears vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction.

Western Illinois Leathernecks Preview

The Western Illinois Leathernecks have a 1-2 record this season and are tied with two more teams in the 7th place of the ASUN. The Leathernecks are 1-2 against the spread, and 2-1 in over/under this season while having a 0-1 home record.

Offensively, Western Illinois is in the bottom 40 of the nation, averaging 65.3 points per game, which ranks 325th in the nation, while allowing 73 points per game defensively (225th). The Leathernecks have below-average shooting percentages, with 42.1% from the field (281st), and 32.4% beyond the arc (212th).

Western Illinois is coming off a 73-87 home loss against Green Bay, not covering the spread as the game went over the 144-point total. The Leathernecks did most of their damage from beyond the arc, shooting with 53%, but could not convert their free throws, making just 39%. Ryan Myers led Western Illinois’ offense with 26 points with 5 triples and 3 rebounds.

Sean Smith leads Western Illinois in scoring this season, with an average of 16.7 points, 5 rebounds, and a team-high 4 assists. Ryan Myers adds 16.3 points and 3 rebounds. 

Central Arkansas Bears Preview

The Central Arkansas Bears have a 1-2 record this season and are tied with four more teams in the 5th place of the Ohio Valley. The Bears are 0-2 against the spread, and 1-1 in over/under this season while having a 0-2 road record.

Offensively, Central Arkansas is bottom-100 in the nation, averaging 73.7 points per game (258th), while they aren’t much more efficient defensively, allowing 78.3 points per game (297th). The Bears struggle mightily with their shooting, with just 38.7% from the field (331st), and 27.2% from beyond the arc (319th).

Central Arkansas is coming off a 49-108 win over Randall University. The Bears held their opponents to just 28% shooting from the field while destroying them on the glass, with 56-27 rebounds. Elias Cato led Central Arkansas’ offense with 19 points on 7-10 shooting, adding 8 rebounds.

Cato leads Central Arkansas in scoring this season, with an average of 14.3 points and 4 rebounds. Lyane Taylor adds 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. 

Why the Western Illinois Leathernecks will win

• Central Arkansas has lost each of its last nine Saturday road games against non-conference opponents.
• The home team has won five of Central Arkansas’ last six games.
• Western Illinois has won the first half in each of its last seven-day games at Western Hall.

Why the Central Arkansas Bears will win

• Western Illinois has lost three of its last four games.
• Western Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Central Arkansas Bears vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction

Western Illinois has won all three previous meetings against Central Arkansas, going for 2-1 against the spread. In their previous meeting last year, the Leathernecks won on the road, 65-54. In this Central Arkansas Bears vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Prediction, Western Illinois is coming as a -7.5 home favorite, but instead, I’m going to take a look at the total. Both teams are bottom-100 in the nation offensively, with 139 points per game combined, while having very bad shooting percentages. In their previous meeting last year, they combined for just 119 total points, and I expect more of the same today. This will be yet another low-scoring game, so give me the under.  

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 142