Eastern Illinois (4-8) vs Lindenwood (6-7)
January 2, 2025 at 08:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Eastern Illinois -3 / Lindenwood +3 — Over/Under: 137
The Lindenwood Lions and the Eastern Illinois Panthers meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Lantz Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Lindenwood vs. Eastern Illinois prediction.
Lindenwood Recap
The Lindenwood Lions come into this game looking to build on a 71-65 win over Western Illinois last time out to improve to 6-7 on the year. After this game, Lindenwood will head on the road for a game against SIU-Edwardsville.
Lions Looking To Build Steam
Markeith Browning II leads the Lions in scoring and assists with 12.6 PPG and 3.4 APG along with 2.4 SPG while Jadis Jones has 11.2 PPG with a team-high 6.8 RPG to lead the Lions on the glass so far this season. Anias Futrell has 11.1 PPG with 4.9 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Lindenwood so far this season while Reggie Bass has 9 PPG with 3.6 RPG and 2.8 APG. As a team, Lindenwood is averaging 74.2 PPG on 45.6% shooting from the field, 30.2% from three and 64.7% from the foul line this season.
Why the Lindenwood Lions will win
- Eastern Illinois has lost eight of its last nine night games.
- Lindenwood (MO) has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Eastern Illinois Recap
The Eastern Illinois Panthers will look to build on their 99-55 win over subdivision Blackburn College last time out to improve to 4-8 on the year. After this game, Eastern Illinois will welcome Western Illinois to town for this matchup.
Panthers Looking For First Conference Win
Nakyel Shelton leads the Panthers in scoring with 18.1 PPG along with 4.8 RPG while Kooper Jacobi has 14.5 PPG with a team-high 9.1 RPG to lead the Panthers in rebounding up to this point in the year. Zion Fruster has 11.3 PPG with 3.8 RPG and Artese Stapleton has 10.3 PPG with 3.7 APG in 6 games played so far this season to round out the scoring in double figures for Eastern Illinois up to this point in the year along with 2.5 SPG. As a team, Eastern Illinois is averaging 71.1 PPG on 43.9% shooting from the field, 31.1% from three and 61.8% from the foul line so far this season.
Why the Eastern Illinois Panthers will win
- Eastern Illinois has won each of its last seven home games.
- Lindenwood (MO) has lost five of its last six night games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Lindenwood (MO)’s last six night games have produced a total of 139+ points.
- Eight of Eastern Illinois’ last nine home games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 135 or fewer points.
Lindenwood vs. Eastern Illinois Prediction
I’m on Lindenwood and the points here. I get that home court counts for something, but we’re still making Eastern Illinois a favorite, an Eastern Illinois team that still has just one win over a division I team this season. Lindenwood’s far from a world beater, but the Lions still have a lot going for them in this matchup. Ultimately, I just can’t get over the lack of competition on Eastern Illinois’ side in this one so I’ll take the free points with Lindenwood in a game I genuinely think the Lions can win outright.