Western Illinois (8-11) vs Little Rock (11-7)
January 23, 2025 at 08:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Western Illinois +5.5 — Over/Under: 130.5
The Little Rock Trojans and Western Illinois Leathernecks meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Western Hall. Here’s a Little Rock vs Western Illinois Prediction. This article will include a Little Rock vs Western Illinois Pick.
Little Rock Trojans Betting Preview
The Little Rock Trojans beat Southeast Missouri State and Tennessee Tech, and they play Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois, and Tennessee State next. The Little Rock Trojans are averaging 68.9 points on 43.7 percent shooting and allowing 68.6 points on 37.7 percent shooting. Johnathan Lawson is averaging 15.4 points and 6 rebounds, while Mwani Wilkinson is averaging 14.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Ante Beljan is the third double-digit scorer and Isaiah Lewis is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The Little Rock Trojans are shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 68.9 percent from the free throw line. The Little Rock Trojans are allowing 30 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.2 rebounds per game.
Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Preview
The Western Illinois Leathernecks lost to Morehead State and Southern Indiana, and they play SE Missouri State, Eastern Illinois, and SIU Edwardsville next. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are averaging 69 points on 43.7 percent shooting and allowing 69.9 points on 44.3 percent shooting. Marko Maletic is averaging 16.9 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Ryan Myers is averaging 14.4 points and 2.6 rebounds. Sean Smith is the third double-digit scorer and Julius Rollins is dishing 1.3 assists. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 70.4 percent from the free throw line. The Western Illinois Leathernecks are allowing 33.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Western Illinois Leathernecks will win
- Western Illinois has won four of its last five night games at Western Hall against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Western Illinois has won the first half in 15 of its last 20 games against the Ohio Valley Conference at Western Hall.
Why the Little Rock Trojans will win
- Little Rock has won each of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Western Illinois has lost each of its last four games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
- Western Illinois has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Twenty-nine of Western Illinois’ last 32 night games at Western Hall have produced a total of 132+ points.
- Thirty-four of Little Rock’s last 42 games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 133+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Little Rock ranks 20th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (21.8).
- Little Rock ranks T37th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (8.9).
Little Rock vs Western Illinois Injury Report
Western Illinois doesn’t have a player listed on its injury report. Little Rock will continue to be without KK Robinson due to an undisclosed issue.
Little Rock vs Western Illinois Prediction
It’s hard to get behind Western Illinois, a team that’s 3-7 SU and 3-6 ATS in its last 10 games. Western Illinois also lost games it was favored in against Tennessee State and Tennessee-Martin. The Little Rock Trojans aren’t the team to let Western Illinois off the hook, as they get after it defensively and have five road wins. In fact, Little Rock has won three of its last four road games. With a top-10 allowed field goal percentage, the Little Rock Trojans aren’t the team you want to face when struggling. I’ll lay the points with Little Rock on the road.