Western Illinois Leathernecks vs SE Missouri State Redhawks Prediction, 1/3/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Illinois Leathernecks vs SE Missouri State Redhawks

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, MO

TV: ESPN+

The Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-9) are hitting the road to Show Me Center on Saturday where they will try to beat the SE Missouri State Redhawks (6-7).

The Western Illinois Leathernecks faced SIU Edwardsville and took a loss by a score of 66-61 in their last game. Western Illinois finished the game with a 42.0% FG percentage (21 out of 50) and made 4 of their 13 shots from beyond the perimeter. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Leathernecks made 15 of 22 shots for a percentage of 68.2%. In terms of pulling down rebounds, they earned 22 with 4 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 8 assists in this matchup in addition to forcing the opposition into 13 turnovers and getting 7 steals. In reference to defending, Western Illinois allowed 39.2% from the floor on 20 out of 51 shooting. SIU Edwardsville distributed 8 dimes and had 6 steals in this matchup. Additionally, SIU Edwardsville had 31 rebounds (7 offensive, 24 defensive), but didn't notch a block. SIU Edwardsville finished the game at 78.3% from the charity stripe by knocking down 18 of their 23 shots. They also converted 8 out of their 20 shots from beyond the perimeter. In reference to fouls, the Leathernecks ended up finishing with 18 and SIU Edwardsville finished the game with 18 fouls.

Lucas Lorenzen is a player who was a major factor in the game. He shot 42.9% from the floor and distributed 1 assist. He saw the court for 37 mins played and collected 5 rebounds. He accounted for 19 points on 6 out of 14 shooting.

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Western Illinois enters this game with a mark of 4-9 this year. They are averaging 68.2 pts per contest (335th in the nation) while hitting 42.5% from the field. The Leathernecks are connecting on 31.1% on 3-point shots (70 of 225) and 66.8% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Western Illinois is pulling down 34.3 rebounds per game and has tallied 105 dimes for the year, which is 364th in the nation in terms of passing the ball. They turn it over 12.2 times per contest and as a team are committing 17.1 fouls on a nightly basis.

Defensively, the Leathernecks are forcing 11.5 turnovers per contest and they draw 17.0 fouls. They relinquish 36.8% on 3-point attempts and they are ranked 229th in college in points per game allowed (75.2). The Leathernecks defense is giving up a field goal percentage of 45.6% (339 of 743) and they concede 33.8 rebounds per contest as a team. They are 156th in college in giving up assists with 175 relinquished for the campaign.

The last time they took the hardwood, the SE Missouri State Redhawks walked away with a victory by a final of 91-82 when they played Tennessee State. The Redhawks were able to snag 29 defensive boards and 8 offensive rebounds for a total of 37 for the contest. They also coughed it up 18 times, while getting 4 steals in this matchup. Tennessee State committed 21 personal fouls for the matchup which took the Redhawks to the charity stripe for 29 attempts. They were able to make 22 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 75.9%. When talking about shots from beyond the arc, SE Missouri State knocked down 9 of their 20 attempts (45.0%). When the final whistle was blown, the Redhawks finished 30 for 52 from the field which had them shooting 57.7%. The Redhawks permitted Tennessee State to knock down 25 of their 59 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 42.4% in the game. They went 40.0% from three-point range by shooting 6 of 15 and ended up shooting 26 out of 36 from the charity stripe (72.2%). Regarding how they cleaned up the glass, SE Missouri State permitted Tennessee State to collect 25 in total (7 on the offensive side).

Marqueas Bell ended up being a major contributor for the Redhawks for the matchup. He recorded 22 points in his 36 mins on the court and tallied 3 dimes in the matchup. He converted 8 out of 9 in the game for a field goal rate of 88.9%, and earned 12 rebounds.

SE Missouri State has a win-loss record of 6-7 for the season. As an offense, the Redhawks are hitting on 46.3% from the field, which ranks 144th in the nation. SE Missouri State has scored 1,028 pts for the year (79.1 per contest) and they pull in 34.5 rebounds per contest. They are assisting teammates 13.5 times per game (255th in the nation) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.0 times per contest. The Redhawks commit 20.4 personal fouls per contest while shooting 71.5% from the charity stripe.

The Redhawks on the defensive end are ranked 268th in D-1 in points per game surrendered with 76.8. They are able to force 15.1 TO's every game and have allowed teams to shoot 45.9% from the field (300th in college hoops). The SE Missouri State defense gives up 34.4% on shots from distance (86 of 250) and opponents are connecting on 75.0% of their free throw shots. They have conceded 11.0 assists and 32.9 rebounds per game, which ranks them 38th and 96th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Western Illinois

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