The Eastern Illinois Panthers (14-16, 7-10 OVC) welcome the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (7-23, 3-14 OVC) to Lantz Arena as the regular season wraps up. Action gets underway at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Panthers fell to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 89-84, while the Golden Eagles were defeated by the SIUE Cougars, 76-68.
Tennessee Tech held SIUE to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.1 (below their season average of 29.5) while Eastern Illinois had an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.8 (above their season average of 28.1). Mack Smith played a key role for Eastern Illinois with 24 points. Meanwhile, Courtney Alexander II had a solid performance for Tennessee Tech, recording eight points and 11 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Smith led the Panthers to a 67-60 win. He produced 14 points and five rebounds. Eastern Illinois’ rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Panthers had 16 offensive rebounds and 43 total rebounds, while the Golden Eagles had two and 28, respectively.
It will be a showdown of opposite paces as the up-and-down Golden Eagles (ranked 42nd in the country in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Panthers (143rd in possessions per game).
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers Betting Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Illinois, ATS Winner – Eastern Illinois, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Tennessee Tech ranks 107th in rebounds per game (36.4) while Eastern Illinois ranks 248th in rebounds allowed per game (37.4).
- The Panthers average 6.3 steals per game, which ranks 125th in the country. The Golden Eagles rank 219th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
- Tennessee Tech blocks 4.4 opponent shots per game, which ranks 39th in the country. Eastern Illinois ranks 103rd in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- The Panthers rank 124th in assists per game (13.6) while the Golden Eagles rank 253rd in assists allowed per game (16.4).
- Eastern Illinois ranks 135th in three pointers attempted per game (22.9) while Tennessee Tech ranks 248th (19.9).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Golden Eagles have scored an average of 63.8 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.8 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
- The Panthers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 4.8 for the season.