The South Dakota Coyotes (18-8, 8-3 Summit) welcome the Western Illinois Leathernecks (5-16, 2-9 Summit) to Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The Coyotes have won seven consecutive games, while the Leathernecks are riding a six-game losing streak. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Western Illinois Leathernecks at South Dakota Coyotes Betting Odds
In their last outing, the Coyotes beat the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, 82-68, while the Leathernecks fell to the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, 75-69.
South Dakota played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.386 (above their season average of 0.294) and a turnover percentage of 13.9 (worse than their season average of 13.8). For those same stats, North Dakota was 0.189 and 25.3, respectively. Western Illinois, on the other hand, held Purdue Fort Wayne to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.2 (below their season average of 29.7). South Dakota rallied around Tyler Hagedorn, who put up 15 points and seven rebounds. James Claar was a key piece for Western Illinois with 20 points and five rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Zion Young led the Leathernecks to an 82-75 win. He put up 21 points and nine rebounds. Western Illinois had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.5 vs. 12.5). South Dakota, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (17-20; 85.0 percent).
The high-octane offense of South Dakota (seventh in the country with an offensive efficiency of 114.0) will face off against the bottom-tier defense of Western Illinois (338th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 110.1). The Coyotes figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball. The Leathernecks should have an edge in terms of ball security. They rank 4th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.0 percent). Conversely, the Coyotes force the 36th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.9 percent).
Western Illinois Leathernecks at South Dakota Coyotes Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – South Dakota, ATS Winner – South Dakota, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- South Dakota ranks 44th in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while Western Illinois ranks 261st (38.6).
- The Leathernecks rank 217th in steals per game (5.3) while the Coyotes rank 250th (4.7).
- South Dakota ranks 36th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Western Illinois ranks 61st (2.9).
- The Coyotes rank 96th in assists per game (14.0) while the Leathernecks rank 253rd (10.7).
- Western Illinois ranks 121st in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while South Dakota ranks 246th (18.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Leathernecks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 5.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Coyotes have scored an average of 90.6 points per game (10.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
