The Western Illinois Leathernecks (7-12) look to end their 10-game losing streak when they take on the IPFW Mastodons (17-6) at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The game gets underway at 2:00 pm ET on Sunday, Jan. 31.
The Mastodons were victorious over Oral Roberts 68-63 on Thursday. John Konchar fueled the Mastodons, recording 16 points and 14 rebounds to notch his eighth double-double this season. The Leathernecks, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 69-67 loss at the hands of IUPUI on Friday. Garret Covington had a game-high 23 points.
Over the last five games, Konchar and Max Landis have played at a high level for the Mastodons. During that stretch, Konchar has averaged 17.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Landis has put up 24.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 4.4 three-pointers.
IPFW is a nine-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is 148 points. The Mastodons enter the game with records of 17-6 Straight Up (SU) and 15-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 7-2 ATS over their last 10 games. The Mastodons come into the game with the 49th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 79.4 points per game. The Mastodons are a dangerously accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .411 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I.
Across the court, the Leathernecks head into the game with records of 7-8 ATS and 7-12 SU. Western Illinois is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, hitting .395 of their shots from three-point range.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time these conference rivals played, IPFW won, taking the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over their most recent meetings. They are even ATS at 5-5 in their most recent meetings as well. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, IPFW held the edge in all three of these categories twice in the last five meetings. Western Illinois never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – IPFW, ATS Winner – WestIl, O/U – Over
Notes
IPFW averages 79.4 points per game (ranked 49th). Western Illinois, on the other hand, allows 68.7 points per game (ranked 110th).
Western Illinois lost its last game by a two-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, IPFW is 4-1. Western Illinois is 1-2 in close games this season.
The IPFW Mastodons average 70.8 possessions and 1.122 points per possession in games this season. The Western Illinois Leathernecks average fewer possessions with 67.7, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.042.
IPFW averages an effective field goal percentage of 54.8%. Western Illinois has not won a game this season when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage (0-7).
IPFW ranks 67th in assists, registering 15.5 per game. Western Illinois performs worse at 149th with 13.8 assists per game.
IPFW ranks 223rd in offensive rebounds, while Western Illinois ranks 76th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Western Illinois forces a turnover rate of 16.6%. When IPFW turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 8-4 record.
