The Denver Pioneers (10-7, 1-3 Summit) meet the Western Illinois Leathernecks (8-7, 1-3) Saturday at the LeRoy A. Ufkes Court at Western Hall in Macomb, Ill. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Denver vs. Western Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
After a hot start, Denver has cooled off significantly. In fact, the Pioneers are just 1-4 SU and ATS across the past 5 games overall, with only a 2-point OT win against Kansas City at home Dec. 29. The Over and Under has alternated in the past 5 games overall.
Western Illinois is also on a slide, dropping each of the past 3 games, including a 78-74 loss against Omaha last time out Thursday. After a 4-0-1 ATS run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 29, the Leathernecks have failed the past 2 outings.
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Denver at Western Illinois odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Denver +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Western Illinois -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Denver +3.5 (-105) | Western Illinois -3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Denver at Western Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Denver 76, Western Illinois 74
Moneyline
DENVER (+145) picked up a win in its most recent win in Macomb last Feb. 26, winning 83-77 as a 7.5-point underdog. This is usually a pretty close game, as these Summit League rivals have split the 10 games straight up, 5-5.
The Pioneers should get it done, but this is going to be close, so go with a half-unit play at best.
Against the spread
DENVER +3.5 (-105) is 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games overall, but it is 12-5-1 ATS in the previous 18 outings on the road.
Western Illinois -3.5 (-115) has managed just a 6-14-1 ATS record in the past 21 games overall, while going 3-7 ATS in the past 10 games at home. WIU is also a dismal 2-7 ATS in the past 9 against teams with a winning record overall.
Over/Under
OVER 147.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly.
The Over is an impressive 38-16 in the past 54 games overall for Denver, or a 70.3%. In addition, the Over is 21-7 in the past 28 games on the road.
For Western Illinois, the Over has cashed in 6 of the past 7 games at home, while cashing at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 games against winning teams.
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