SIU-Edwardsville vs Western Illinois Prediction 12/22/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Andrew Jett

4 hours ago

MATCHUP	SIU-Edwardsville Cougars	Western Illinois Leathernecks
Team Records	7-5	4-8
Where	Western Hall, Macomb, IL
When	Monday, December 22, 2025
Time	04:30 PM EST
TV	ESPN+

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars and the Western Illinois Leathernecks meet Monday in college basketball action from Western Hall in Macomb. Here’s an SIU Edwardsville vs Western Illinois prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best SIU Edwardsville vs Western Illinois pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview

SIU Edwardsville got off to a .500 run through their first six games this year. The losses in that time came versus Indiana State, Wisconsin and Air Force. Since then it’s been a better 4-2 stretch. The Cougars have beaten Alabama State, Missouri Baptist, North Florida and Eureka in that time, with losses otherwise versus Western Michigan and Eastern Illinois. That makes for a 7-5 overall run across the first dozen games.

On Thursday in the Eastern Illinois game, the Cougars scored 33 points in the first half, 30 in the second and nine in overtime on the way to a 76-72 loss. Ring Malith was the team’s leading scorer in the defeat with 23 points, five rebounds and two assists. Harrison Alexander added 13 points and Arnas Sakenis had 10 points with four rebounds in 24 minutes of work.

Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Preview

Over on the Western Illinois side, they limped to a 1-6 opening run this year. The losses in that time were versus Radford, Iowa, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Baptist, Coastal Carolina and North Dakota. Since then it’s been a 3-2 stretch with losses to Drake and Lindenwood among wins over St. Ambrose, Hannibal-Lagrange and North Dakota. In total Western Illinois has a 4-8 run over their first 12 outings this year.

Matched up against Lindenwood on Thursday, the Leathernecks trailed 42-28 by the break. Western Illinois hit a 50-48 deficit in the second half and limped to the loss 92-76 in the end. Antwaun Massey led the team on 33 points with five rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen was the only other player in double-digits with 18 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes during the loss.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars @ Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Trends: December 22, 2025

Why the Western Illinois Leathernecks will win

SIU Edwardsville has lost 23 of its last 26 road day games against Conference opponents.
Western Illinois has won each of its last four games at Western Hall following a road loss.
SIU Edwardsville has lost the first half in four of its last five road day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.

Why the SIU Edwardsville Cougars will win

SIU Edwardsville has won each of its last four day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
Western Illinois has lost six of its last seven day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
SIU Edwardsville has won the first half in three of its last four games against the Ohio Valley Conference.

SIU Edwardsville vs Western Illinois Prediction

I’ll lean toward the Cougars, but there’s not a lot to get excited about here if you’re not a fan of either team. SIU Edwardsville took a tough OT loss to a struggling Eastern Illinois squad in their last outing, shooting 41.4 percent from the field with a 37-28 rebounding deficit and 14 turnovers. The good news is that the Cougars have scored 72 or more points in six straight games though, going 4-2 in that stretch.

As for Western Illinois they had a pretty bad time from 3-point range (3-of-13 for 23.1 percent) and from the line (15-of-28 for 53.6 percent) while getting out-rebounded 39-29 by Lindenwood in their latest outing. The Leathernecks have given up 92 or more points in two of the last four games, so the Cougars should have ample offensive opportunities here.