The SIUE Cougars (5-8, 1-0 OVC) will attempt to snap their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (8-6, 1-0 OVC) at Lantz Arena. The game starts at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
SIUE Cougars at Eastern Illinois Panthers Free Prediction
In the Cougars’ last outing, they were beaten by the Pacific Tigers, 74-65. Pacific’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over SIUE. The Tigers had a rate of 29.6, while the Cougars posted a mark of 14.6. Brandon Jackson played well for SIUE, recording 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Panthers fell to the Texas Longhorns in their last outing, 71-59. Texas’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Eastern Illinois. The Longhorns had a rate of 0.577, while the Panthers posted a mark of 0.411. With 12 points on 3-for-11 shooting, Rade Kukobat was Eastern Illinois’ high scorer.
After the Panthers won both meetings against the Cougars last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, Eastern Illinois won 68-56. Eastern Illinois’ free throw rate was their biggest advantage over SIUE. The Panthers had a rate of 0.280, while the Cougars posted a mark of 0.082.
The offensive glass could be a major advantage for SIUE in this showdown. The Cougars are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 84th in offensive rebounding percentage at 32.3 percent. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois ranks 246th in the NCAA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 70.2 percent.
SIUE Cougars vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Illinois, ATS Winner – Eastern Illinois, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
SIUE ranks 76th in steals per game (7.2) while Eastern Illinois ranks 103rd in steals allowed per game (6.4).
The Cougars rank 197th in rebounds per game (34.5) while the Panthers rank 219th in rebounds allowed per game (38.0).
SIUE averages 21.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 168th in the country. Eastern Illinois ranks 184th in three pointers allowed per game (24.2).
The Cougars average 11.7 assists per game, which ranks 202nd in the NCAA. The Panthers rank 209th in assists allowed per game (15.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Cougars’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 4.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 72.2 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (1.7 below their season average).
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