FIU Golden Panthers vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Western Kentucky vs FIU NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Miami.

Western Kentucky vs FIU Prediction

Betting on today's Hilltoppers and Golden Panthers game? Catch the action at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, FL, as the Golden Panthers hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. Western Kentucky is favored by -6.5 in this Conference USA conference matchup the against FIU. The over/under for the game is set at 153.5 points.

Western Kentucky vs. FIU Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FIU Golden Panthers
Where: Miami at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
Date: Saturday, January 4th
Betting Odds WKENT -6.5, WKENT -234 | FLINT +188 O/U 153.5

Hilltoppers Preview: Are the Hilltoppers Ready for a Win at Miami?

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Recent Game/Games

Western Kentucky improved to 8-4 on the season with a 71-70 road win over Liberty on Thursday. The Hilltoppers, who were +10 underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

After trailing 35-21 at halftime, Western Kentucky turned things around in the second half, outscoring Liberty 50-35. The total points for the game were 141, just under the 146.5-point O/U line.

Hilltoppers Offense Breakdown

In their last game, Western Kentucky's offense put up 71 points, shooting 45.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.4%, with a 51.1% success rate on two-point shots. From beyond the arc, they hit just 29.4% of their attempts, going 5-for-17. At the free-throw line, they struggled, converting only 52.6% of their shots.

The Hilltoppers recorded 12 offensive rebounds and 9 assists in the game. Zach Cleveland and Julius Thedford both scored 18 points, with Cleveland adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Kaden Metheny contributed 17 points, hitting 4 of his 10 three-point attempts. Tyrone Marshall Jr. was efficient, making 6 of 7 shots from the field.

Hilltoppers Team Defense

Western Kentucky's defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field, hitting 27 of 62 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 54% shooting, as the other team connected on 19 of 35 two-point shots.

From three-point range, Western Kentucky held their opponent to 29% shooting, with 8 made threes on 27 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 16 times, where they made 8 shots, shooting 50%. The Hilltoppers gave up 7 offensive rebounds.

Golden Panthers Preview: Does FIU Have a Shot at a Home Win?

FIU Golden Panthers Recent Game/Games

FIU dropped to 4-8 on the season after a 73-69 loss to Middle Tennessee on Thursday. The Golden Panthers, who were +3.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 142 fell short of the O/U line of 150.

FIU led 35-32 at halftime but allowed 41 points in the 2nd half while scoring 34. The Golden Panthers couldn’t hold their lead, and their defense let them down in the 2nd half.

Golden Panthers Offense Breakdown

FIU's offense put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 50.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.1%. They connected on 40% of their three-point attempts, hitting 6 of 15 from beyond the arc, and were 83.3% from the free-throw line, making 5 of 6 attempts.

Vianney Salatchoum led the way with 21 points, shooting 71.4% from the field and hitting his only three-point attempt. Jlynn Counter added 17 points on 75% shooting, while Asim Jones and Camryn Weston each contributed 15 points, with Jones shooting 66.7% from the field.

Golden Panthers Team Defense

Despite giving up 73 points, FIU’s defense struggled, allowing the opposition to shoot 50% from the field. They gave up 29 made field goals on 57 attempts.

Inside the arc, FIU allowed 23 two-point baskets on 42 attempts, a 54% shooting percentage. From three-point range, the opposition hit 6 of 15 shots, good for 40%.

Hilltoppers vs Golden Panthers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their last three road contests, Western Kentucky has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 71 points per game.
When looking at their past ten home matchups, FIU has an ATS record of 5-3 while averaging 73 per game. The team went 5-5 overall in these games.
As the betting underdog, the Golden Panthers have an ATS mark of just 4-6 in their last ten games. FIU posted a straight up mark of 1-9 in these matchups.
Western Kentucky has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 5-0 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last five games.