Oral Roberts vs Western Illinois 2/3/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Western Illinois Leathernecks will travel to the Mabee Center to take on the Oral Roberts Golden Griffins this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Western Illinois Leathernecks dropped to 13-9 on the season after being defeated by the Kansas City Roos, 83-75, this past Monday. Western Illinois struggled defensively against Kansas City and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 48-31 margin. Western Illinois shot 44.6% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Kansas City to shoot 56.1% from the field & 55.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Leathernecks was Will Carius who had 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, & 1 block.

On the season, Western Illinois is averaging 79.6 ppg on 44.0% shooting from the field. The Leathernecks are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Illinois has been led by Trenton Massner (16.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.7 spg), Will Carius (15.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.1 apg), Colton Sandage (13.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.4 spg), & Luka Barisic (13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 apg).

Defensively, Western Illinois is allowing their opponents to an average of 75.2 ppg on 45.4% shooting from the field. The Leathernecks have a rebound margin of 3.3 and a turnover margin of 1.9.

The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 15-7 on the season after defeating the Denver Pioneers, 89-80, this past Saturday. Oral Roberts was solid on the offensive end against Denver and was able to hold off the Pioneers after taking a 71-62 lead with 7:22 left in regulation. Oral Roberts shot 50.0% from the field & 46.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Denver to shoot 45.6% from the field & 44.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Golden Eagles was Max Abmas who had 28 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Oral Roberts is averaging 83.2 ppg on 46.1% shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles are averaging 12.3 three-pointers per game on 39.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oral Roberts has been led by Max Abmas (23.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.0 spg), Issac McBride (10.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 apg), DeShang Weaver (10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg), & Trey Phipps (9.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.4 apg).

Defensively, Oral Roberts is allowing their opponents to average 70.7 ppg on 41.5% shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles have a rebound margin of 5.2 and a turnover margin of 0.5.

The Leathernecks are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Golden Eagles are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games & 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games vs. Summit League opponents.

Western Illinois has been led by their offense which ranks 21^st in scoring offense & 62^nd in three-pointers made per game, however, the Leathernecks have really struggled on the defensive end as they come into this game ranked 316^th in scoring defense & 298^th in defensive FG%. Oral Roberts are also led by their offense which ranks 5^th in scoring offense, 81^st in FG%, & 8^th in 3P-FG%, however, like Western Illinois, the Golden Eagles have had issues keeping opponents off the scoreboard as they currently rank just 220^th in scoring defense.

Oral Roberts has one of the best scorers in College Basketball in Max Abmas, however, this is a team that can struggle defensively. Western Illinois has an offense that can keep up with Oral Roberts and although they have had troubles recently ATS on the road, this is still a team that has road wins at Northern Kentucky & North Dakota State, and I think the Leathernecks will be able to do enough with the large number of points to get us a cover in this one. Good Luck!