Little Rock vs SIU-Edwardsville Prediction 3/1/25 College Basketball Picks

The Little Rock Trojans and the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Gentry Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Little Rock vs. SIU-Edwardsville prediction.

Matchup History

The Little Rock Trojans won the first meeting between these two teams earlier this season by a final score of 60-56, in Little Rock back on December 19th, 2024. Little Rock leads the all-time series 3-2, but is 5-0 ATS in the five head-to-head meetings between these two teams.

Little Rock Recap

The Little Rock Trojans come into this game looking to bounce back after a 71-60 loss at the hands of Eastern Illinois last time out to sit at 18-12 on the year.

Trojans Looking For Consistency Entering OVC Tournament

Jonathan Lawson leads the Trojans in scoring and assists with 15.4 PPG and 3.5 APG along with 5.3 RPG while Mwani Wilkinson has 13.2 PPG with a team-high 7.3 RPG to lead the Cougars on the glass. Ante Beljan has 10.8 PPG with 4.6 RPG this season to round out the trio of double-digit scorers for Little Rock up to this point in the year while Jordan Jefferson has 9.9 PPG and Isaiah Lewis has 9.6 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 3.1 APG. Tuongthach Gatkek has 9.3 PPG with 6.5 RPG and 2.3 APG as well this season. As a team, Little Rock is averaging 69.4 PPG on 44.8% shooting from the field, 36.7% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Little Rock Trojans will win

• Little Rock has won six of its last seven day games.

SIU-Edwardsville Recap

The SIU-Edwardsville Cougars come into this game looking to bounce back from an 83-68 loss to Southeast Missouri State last time out to sit at 19-11 on the year.

Cougars Lose Back-To-Back Games

Ray’Sean Taylor leads the Cougars in scoring and assists with 19.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 3.8 APG while Brian Taylor II has 12.5 PPG, 4 RPG and 2.9 APG this season. Ring Malith has 11.2 PPG with a team-high 7.3 RPG to lead the Cougars on the glass and to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for SIUE so far this season. Desmond Polk also has 6.4 PPG with 3.3 RPG as well on the year. As a team, SIU-Edwardsville is averaging 72.8 PPG on 43.3% shooting from the field, 33.9% from behind the arc and 67.3% from the foul line this season.

Why the SIU Edwardsville Cougars will win

• SIU Edwardsville has won each of its last seven day games at First Community Arena at Vadalabene Center.

Little Rock vs. SIU-Edwardsville Prediction

I’m on SIU-Edwardsville here. I just trust the Cougars at home in this spot more than I trust Little Rock right now after being held down and run out by the weakest offense in the OVC in Eastern Illinois. SIUE has taken some losses as well, but for the most part I feel like the Cougars have been the better team and I think they can break down Little Rock’s defense and can snag the win and cover at home so I’ll side with SIU-Edwardsville laying the points here.