Tennessee State Tigers vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Matchup

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

Western Illinois vs Tennessee State Prediction

Planning on watching today's Leathernecks and Tigers game? Catch the action at Gentry Center in Nashville, TN, as the Tigers hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 140.5 points, and Tennessee State is favored by -8.5 to win at home against Western Illinois.

Western Illinois vs. Tennessee State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Western Illinois Leathernecks at Tennessee State Tigers
Where: Nashville at Gentry Center
Date: Thursday, February 6th
Betting Odds TENST -8.5, WILL +282 | TENST -355 O/U 140.5

Leathernecks Preview: Will the Leathernecks Find a Way to Win in Nashville?

Western Illinois Leathernecks Recent Game/Games

Western Illinois fell to 5-15 on the season after a 69-65 home loss to SIUE on Saturday. The Leathernecks were +4 underdogs, and the game ended as a push against the spread. The total points of 134 went over the pre-game line of 129.5.

Trailing 37-29 at halftime, Western Illinois made a push in the second half, outscoring SIUE 36-32, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Leathernecks Offense Breakdown

Western Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 37.5% from the field and 30% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.2%, but they managed to hit 78.6% of their free throws, going 11-for-14 from the line.

Marko Maletic and Ray'Sean Taylor both hit 5 threes, with Taylor shooting 55.6% from deep. Maletic finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds, while Taylor added 23 points and 4 assists. The Leathernecks grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and dished out 11 assists in the game.

Leathernecks Team Defense

Western Illinois held their opponent to 69 points on 37% shooting from the field. They limited two-point attempts to 40% (18/44) and three-point attempts to 30% (6/20).

The Leathernecks sent their opponent to the line 14 times, where they converted 11 free throws for 78%. Western Illinois also gave up 17 offensive rebounds.

Tigers Preview: Can Tennessee State Lock in a Home Win?

Tennessee State Tigers Recent Game/Games

The Tigers dropped to 7-13 after a narrow 89-87 loss to Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. They were +4.5 point underdogs going into the game and managed to cover the spread.

Tennessee State trailed 32-31 at halftime but put up 46 points in the 2nd half while allowing 45. The total points for the game reached 176, going over the O/U line of 149.5.

Tigers Offense Breakdown

Tennessee State put up 87 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.2%. They connected on 35.3% of their three-point attempts, going 6-for-17 from deep, and hit 80.8% of their free throws, making 21 of 26.

Rob Martin was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting 2-for-2 from three and finishing with 22 points and 5 assists. Aaron Nkrumah also dished out 5 assists, adding 26 points, while Ronald Jessamy was efficient inside, shooting 72.7% on 8-for-11 shooting.

Tigers Team Defense

Despite Tennessee State's defensive struggles, they allowed 89 points on 52% shooting, including 58% from inside the arc, where the opposing team went 24/41. From three-point range, Tennessee State's defense gave up 6 threes on 16 attempts, a 37% success rate.

The Tigers also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 30 times, where they converted 23 of those attempts, shooting 76%. Tennessee State allowed 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Leathernecks vs Tigers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Leathernecks last five road games, the team averaged 63 points per game while allowing 68. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 1-4 straight-up.
In their last five home games, Tennessee State has averaged 72 points per game while allowing 71. The team's record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Western Illinois has an ATS mark of 1-3-1 while going 0-5 straight up.
In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Tigers have a straight up record of 8-2 and an ATS mark of 6-4.