Sam Houston Bearkats vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Matchup

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

Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Hilltoppers and Bearkats. The game is starting at 3:30 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Bearkats at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, TX. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 154.5 points, and Sam Houston is favored by -2.5 to win at home against Western Kentucky.

Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Sam Houston Bearkats
Where: Huntsville at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Betting Odds SMHO -2.5, WKENT +122 | SMHO -146 O/U 154.5

Hilltoppers Preview: Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Western Kentucky?

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Recent Game/Games

Western Kentucky fell to 9-8 on the season after a 77-67 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday. The Hilltoppers, who were +5 point underdogs, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 144 fell just under the O/U line of 145.5.

Trailing 33-28 at halftime, Western Kentucky scored 39 points in the 2nd half but allowed 44, leading to the loss. The Hilltoppers will look to bounce back as they continue their season.

Hilltoppers Offense Breakdown

Western Kentucky struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 33.8% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting 6 of 28 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 38.5%, but they were solid at the free-throw line, making 17 of 21 shots for 81%.

Don McHenry led the Hilltoppers with 21 points, though he shot just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc. Daniel Batcho contributed 18 points, hitting 5 of 7 shots, while Tyrone Marshall Jr. added 13 points and 8 rebounds, connecting on 2 of 4 threes. Jordan Crawford was perfect from deep, hitting both of his attempts and finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds in just 11 minutes.

Hilltoppers Team Defense

Western Kentucky's defense gave up 77 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 42% from the field. They allowed 12 two-point baskets on 21 attempts, a 57% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, the Hilltoppers' defense conceded 8 threes on 26 attempts, a 30% success rate. They also sent the other team to the line 42 times, where they made 29 free throws, shooting 69%. Western Kentucky gave up 6 offensive rebounds.

Bearkats Preview: Is It the Bearkats Game to Lose at Home?

Sam Houston Bearkats Recent Game/Games

Sam Houston fell to 5-12 on the season after a 77-75 loss to Middle Tennessee on Thursday. The Bearkats, who were +2 underdogs, pushed against the spread. The game’s total points of 152 went over the 150.5-point line.

Sam Houston led 38-36 at halftime but allowed 41 points in the second half while scoring 37. They’ll need to tighten up defensively to turn their season around.

Bearkats Offense Breakdown

Jestin Porter led the way for Sam Houston, hitting 8 of 12 from beyond the arc and finishing with 28 points in their last game. The Bearkats shot 45.5% from three-point range as a team, connecting on 10 of 22 attempts, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 43.1%.

Sam Houston also excelled at the free-throw line, making 15 of 18 attempts for an 83.3% success rate. They grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and dished out 13 assists, with Marcus Boykin contributing 8 assists to go along with his 22 points and 6 rebounds.

Bearkats Team Defense

Despite Sam Houston's defensive efforts, they allowed 77 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 43% from the field. The Bearkats held them to 41% on two-point attempts, as they made 15 of 36 shots.

From beyond the arc, the opposition hit 10 of 22 threes, shooting 45%. Sam Houston also sent them to the line 18 times, where they converted 15 free throws, shooting 83%. The Bearkats gave up 14 offensive rebounds.

Hilltoppers vs Bearkats Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last five games away from home, the Hilltoppers have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 65 points per game in this stretch.
In their last three games at home, the Bearkats have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 0-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 67 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Hilltoppers have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
Over the team's last five games as the favorite, the Bearkats struggled vs the spread going just 1-4. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-2.