Belmont Bruins vs Southern Illinois Salukis Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Southern Illinois vs Belmont NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Nashville.

Southern Illinois vs Belmont Prediction

The Salukis and Bruins are set to face off at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. The Bruins will host the game at Curb Event Center in Nashville, TN. The over/under for this Missouri Valley conference contest is set at 155.5 points, with Belmont being favored by -11.5 at home against Southern Illinois.

Southern Illinois vs. Belmont Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Southern Illinois Salukis at Belmont Bruins
Where: Nashville at Curb Event Center
Date: Wednesday, January 8th
Betting Odds BELM -11.5, SILL +403 | BELM -565 O/U 155.5

Salukis Preview: Do the Salukis Have a Shot at a Road Win?

Southern Illinois dropped to 3-10 on the season after an 85-54 loss to Illinois State on Sunday. The Salukis were +7.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 44-23 at halftime, Southern Illinois scored 31 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The game’s total points of 139 fell just under the O/U line of 140.5.

Salukis Offense Breakdown

Southern Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 54 points with a field goal percentage of 36.8% and an effective field goal percentage of 42.1%. Their three-point shooting was a mere 23.8% (5/21), and they hit only 43.5% of their free throws (10/23). The Salukis managed 12 offensive rebounds and 11 assists as a team.

Johnny Kinziger and Jack Daugherty each contributed 17 points, with Kinziger shooting 85.7% overall and 75.0% from three-point range. Daugherty hit 5 threes at a 55.6% clip. Jordan Davis added 13 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 62.5% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc.

Salukis Team Defense

Southern Illinois struggled defensively, giving up 85 points on 60% shooting from the field. Their opponents were particularly effective inside, hitting 78% of their two-point attempts (18/23).

From beyond the arc, Southern Illinois allowed 13 threes on 28 attempts, a 46% success rate. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 10 for 76%.

Bruins Preview: Can the Bruins Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Belmont Bruins Recent Game/Games

Belmont improved to 9-5 on the season with a 92-87 win over UIC on Saturday. The Bruins, who were -6 point favorites, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 179 went over the 159.5 O/U line.

Belmont led 46-43 at halftime and scored 46 points in the 2nd half while allowing 44 points to UIC.

Bruins Offense Breakdown

Belmont's offense put up 92 points in their last game, shooting 47.8% from the field and hitting 41.4% from three-point range, making 12 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 56.7%, and they were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, going 16 for 18 (88.9%).

Jonathan Pierre led the way with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Carter Whitt added 20 points, hitting 4 of 7 from deep. Ahmad Henderson II also contributed 18 points, connecting on 4 of 8 threes. Belmont finished with 18 assists and 11 offensive rebounds in the win.

Bruins Team Defense

Belmont's defense struggled in their previous game, giving up 87 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 47% from the field. Inside the arc, the Bruins allowed 20 two-point baskets on 38 attempts, a 52% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Belmont's opponent hit 12 of 29 shots, good for 41%. The Bruins also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 16 free throws, an 88% rate. Belmont gave up 11 offensive rebounds in the game.

Salukis vs Bruins Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their ten previous road games, Southern Illinois has an ATS mark of 3-5-1. Their straight up record in these matchups was 3-7 while averaging 69 points per game.
In their last five home games, Belmont has averaged 73 points per game while allowing 75. The team's record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
The last three games that Southern Illinois was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 0-3 while going 0-3 straight up.
Over the team's last five games as the favorite, the Bruins struggled vs the spread going just 2-2-1. However, they still had a straight up mark of 5-0.