Southern Indiana vs SIU-Edwardsville Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles and the SIU Edwardsville Cougars meet Thursday in college basketball action from Vadalabene Center. Here’s a Southern Indiana vs SIU Edwardsville prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Southern Indiana vs SIU Edwardsville 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.

Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Betting Preview

The Eagles lost five of their first six games this year to Butler, VMI, South Dakota, Incarnate Word and UIC. After wins over Valparaiso and Kentucky State, Southern Indiana has since dropped four more games. Those losses were to Western Michigan, Indiana State, Little Rock and Morehead State, giving the Screaming Eagles a 3-9 record across their first 12 outings.

In the Morehead State game on December 20, the Eagles entered the second half with a 33-26 edge but eventually lost 64-60 in overtime after a 29-22 run from there. Cardell Bailey was the team’s leading scorer on 17 points with nine rebounds and Kaden Brown had 13 points. Ismail Habib added 12 points with five rebounds and three assists in the loss as well.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview

Over on the SIU Edwardsville side, they opened the year at 6-3 overall. The wins in that time were over East-West, UTSA, Drake, Alabama State, Missouri Baptist and North Florida. It’s been a 2-2 run since then with losses to Western Michigan and Eastern Illinois mixed with wins over Eureka and Western Illinois. That gives the Cougars an 8-5 overall record this year.

In the Western Illinois matchup on December 22, the Cougars faced a 28-24 deficit going into the second half. SIU Edwardsville woke up on a 42-33 run from there however, taking the comeback win in the end 66-61. Ring Malith led the way with 24 points and six rebounds. Both Jack Campion (five assists) and Jo Valrie each had nine points and four boards as well.

Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles @ SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Trends: January 1, 2026

Why the SIU Edwardsville Cougars will win

• SIU Edwardsville has won each of its last six home day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Southern Indiana has lost 11 of its last 12 games against Conference opponents.
• The home team has won the first half in three of the last four games between Southern Indiana and SIU Edwardsville.

Why the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles will win

• SIU Edwardsville has lost the first half in three of its last four home day games against the Ohio Valley Conference.

Southern Indiana vs SIU Edwardsville Prediction

I’ll stick with SIU Edwardsville. The Cougars started a bit slowly in their latest win over a struggling Western Illinois team but all worked out well in the end. The Cougars didn’t shoot great (39.2 percent) and got outscored in the paint 28-22 in that one but had a 31-22 rebounding edge and hit 18 of 23 free throws (78.3 percent). SIU Edwardsville is 5-2 in their last seven games with 72 or more points in six of those seven outings.

As for Southern Indiana, they shot a dismal 27.6 percent from the field in their latest loss to Morehead State. The Screaming Eagles also got blasted in the paint 32-6 and had just eight team assists. That makes four straight losses for Southern Indiana with fewer than 63 points in each of the last three.

Andrew Jett's Pick: SIU Edwardsville Cougars TBA