South Dakota State vs Western Illinois 12/29/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Western Illinois Leathernecks and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits meet Thursday in college basketball action from Frost Arena. Western Illinois is 8-4 overall this year. The Leathernecks beat North Dakota State in their last game. As for South Dakota State, they’re currently 5-8 after a loss to Oral Roberts. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Western Illinois went just 2-4 over their first six games this year, beating Illinois State and Rockford. The Leathernecks are on a six-game win streak since then, taking out Southern IN, UTRGV, Iowa Wesleyan, Eastern Illinois, Eureka and North Dakota State. 

Matched up against North Dakota State last Monday, the Leathernecks were up 35-29 by halftime. Western Illinois hit a 44-31 run in the second half and took the game 79-60. Trenton Massner was tops with 24 points and 11 rebounds. 

Over on the South Dakota State side, they hit a 3-3 run out of the gate this year, beating Boise State, St. Bonaventure and Valparaiso. The Jackrabbits would lose four straight games, then beat Eastern Washington and Mount Marty. 

In their last game versus Oral Roberts, the Jackrabbits were drilled 40-21 in the first half. South Dakota State scored just 19 points from there and lost 79-40. Alex Arians and William Kyle each scored a team-high eight points. 

PICK: I’ll probably stay with Western Illinois. The Leathernecks are looking pretty good over this six-game win streak—though to be fair, most of it has been against overmatched teams. Still, Western Illinois has scored 79 or more points in all six games, and 71 or more in all but two games this season so far. As for South Dakota, they’ve played just one game since December 12 and may need some time to regain their on-court rhythm. I don’t think the Jackrabbits will stay too close here.