Little Rock vs SE Missouri State Prediction 3/7/25 College Basketball Picks

The Little Rock Trojans and the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks meet Friday in Ohio Valley Tournament college basketball action from Ford Center. Here’s a Little Rock vs Southeast Missouri State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Little Rock vs Southeast Missouri State pick. We will examine: 

The Little Rock Trojans’ recent form and player performance

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Little Rock Trojans

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks

Recent betting trends in games played between Little Rock and Southeast Missouri State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Little Rock vs Southeast Missouri State game

Little Rock Trojans Betting Preview

The Trojans have done a pretty good job record-wise this season, but there have been a few bumps in the road along the way. Little Rock opened up on an 8-7 run over their first 15 games, then took out Southern Indiana, SEMO, Tennessee Tech, Western Illinois, and Lindenwood. After losses to Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State, the Trojans beat TN-Martin, Southern Indiana, and Morehead State. Since then it’s been losses to SEMO, Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, and SIU Edwardsville mixed among wins versus Tennessee Tech, Western Illinois, and TN-Martin. That gives the Trojans a 19-13 overall record across 32 games so far this year. 

In the matchup with TN-Martin on Thursday, the Trojans held a 46-40 advantage going into the second half. Little Rock scored another 36 points from there in an 82-77 win. Leading scorer Mwani Wilkinson finished with 29 points and five rebounds. 

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Betting Preview

Over on the Redhawks’ side, they’ve got a couple of spotty runs this year but overall they’re playing pretty well. Southeast Missouri State limped to a 3-6 run over their first nine games, then took out Saint Mary of the Woods, Eastern Illinois, SIU Edwardsville, Westminster MO, and Tennessee State in the next five. Losses to TN-Martin, Morehead State, Little Rock, and Lindenwood came in the next half-dozen games, then a winning streak over Western Illinois, TN-Martin, Tennessee State, Morehead State, Southern Indiana, Little Rock, Tennessee Tech, Western Illinois, Lindenwood, and SIU Edwardsville in succession before another loss to Eastern Illinois. In total that gives the Redhawks a 20-11 overall record in 31 games so far. 

In the Eastern Illinois matchup on Saturday, the Redhawks held a 36-32 deficit after the first half. Southeast Missouri State was outscored 37-26 the rest of the way and took the loss 73-58 in the end, though. The Redhawks’ lead scorer was Rob Martin with 18 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Braxton Stacker added 12 points and two rebounds off the bench in 29 minutes as the only other team player to hit double-digits in the defeat. 

Why the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks will win

• Southeast Missouri State has won each of its last six night games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Little Rock has lost three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Southeast Missouri State has won the first half in five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Little Rock Trojans will win

• Southeast Missouri State has lost each of its last three games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Little Rock has won 18 of its last 24 night games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Southeast Missouri State has lost the first half in four of its last five games played at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Southeast Missouri State’s last 10 night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 140+ points.
• Three of Little Rock’s last four night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Southeast Missouri State ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (9.5).
• Southeast Missouri State ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (28.5%).
• Little Rock ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.1).
• Little Rock ranks T23rd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (14.9).

Little Rock vs Southeast Missouri State Prediction 

I’ll lean toward SEMO. That said, the Redhawks need a good effort here following a rough road loss to Eastern Illinois last weekend. Southeast Missouri State shot just 34.6 percent from the floor with a 40-34 rebounding deficit in that one while coughing up 19 turnovers for 19 Panthers points along the way. The 58 points broke a streak of 74 or more in four straight games for SEMO and also halted a 10-game win streak. 

These teams split the season series, with the road team getting the victory each time. Little Rock took it 73-71 on January 14, and SEMO returned the favor 57-45 on February 11. The Redhawks hit 16-of-16 from the line in that one, but neither team shot well (both below 39 percent) and there were 30 combined turnovers. Obviously there’s a lot to clean up but I think SEMO can pull it off. Should be a good matchup, though. 

Andrew Jett's Pick: Southeast Missouri State Redhawks -1.5