Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Tennessee Tech vs Eastern Illinois NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Charleston.

Tennessee Tech vs Eastern Illinois Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Golden Eagles versus the Panthers? Tip off is at at 8:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Groniger Arena in Charleston, IL. The over/under for this game is set at 141.5 points, and Eastern Illinois is favored by -1.5 vs. Tennessee Tech in a Ohio Valley conference matchup.

Tennessee Tech vs. Eastern Illinois Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Eastern Illinois Panthers
Where: Charleston at Groniger Arena
Date: Thursday, January 9th
Betting Odds EILL -1.5, TENTCH +112 | EILL -137 O/U 141.5

Golden Eagles Preview: Can The Golden Eagles Secure a Win at Charleston?

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games

Tennessee Tech improved to 6-7 on the season with a 74-55 win over Morehead State on Saturday. The Golden Eagles were favored by 2.5 points and covered the spread with the victory.

Tech led 40-29 at halftime and outscored Morehead State 34-26 in the second half. The game’s total points of 129 fell short of the 142.5 O/U line.

Golden Eagles Offense Breakdown

Tennessee Tech put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 46.4% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.6%, and they hit 70% of their free throws, going 14 for 20 from the line.

Matthew Sells led the way with 17 points, hitting 4 of 5 threes and shooting 83.3% overall. Jaylon Johnson contributed 12 points and 8 assists, while Anouar Mellouk also added 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Golden Eagles Team Defense

Even with Tennessee Tech allowing 55 points, they couldn’t capitalize on their defensive effort. The Golden Eagles gave up 46% shooting from the field, with the opponent hitting 26 of their 56 attempts. Inside the arc, Tennessee Tech’s defense allowed 18 two-point baskets on 38 attempts, a 47% shooting rate.

From three-point range, the opposing team connected on 8 of 18 shots, shooting 44%. Tennessee Tech also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 20 times, where they made 14, shooting 70%. The Golden Eagles gave up 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Panthers Preview: Will Eastern Illinois Come Through as Home Favorites?

The Panthers fell to 2-11 on the season after a narrow 60-57 loss to SIUE on Tuesday. Eastern Illinois was a +2.5 underdog at home and failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 117 fell well below the O/U line of 135.5.

Eastern Illinois trailed 28-27 at halftime and scored 30 points in the 2nd half, but they allowed 32 points to SIUE after the break.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Eastern Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 37% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.7%, and they managed only 5 threes on 18 attempts.

Ray'Sean Taylor led the Panthers with 19 points, despite shooting 4/15 overall and missing all 5 of his three-point attempts. Ring Malith contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 62.5% of his shots, including 1/2 from deep.

Panthers Team Defense

Eastern Illinois put on a strong defensive performance, holding their opponent to just 60 points on 37% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the opposing team making only 15 of 36 attempts, good for 41%.

The Panthers also did well defending the perimeter, as their opponent shot just 27% from three-point range, hitting 5 of 18 attempts. Eastern Illinois sent them to the line 15 times, where they converted 12 free throws for 80%.

Golden Eagles vs Panthers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Tennessee Tech has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-4. The team averaged 67 points per game in these games.
Across their ten previous home games, Eastern Illinois has an ATS mark of 4-6. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-10 while averaging 62 points per game.
Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Golden Eagles have gone 2-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
Through their last five games as the favorite, the Panthers have an ATS record of 4-1 and a straight up mark of 4-1.