Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Eastern Illinois Panthers NCAAB Pick – Odds – Free ATS Prediction
Point Spread: Eastern Illinois -4
The Eastern Illinois Panthers (8-5) and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-7) will meet again in another chapter of an evolving Ohio Valley Conference rivalry. As of recent EIU has exerted their will in this conference clash but overall this has been a very evenly matched series. The tip is scheduled for 4:15 PM ET. The game can be streamed on the OVC Digital Network.
Both teams enter on contrasting notes as the Panthers were defeated by Indiana State on the road in overtime. For J-State, the Gamecocks cruise in after an impressive victory at OVC’s current top dog Tennessee-Martin.
Straight Up and Against the Point Spread Records
Jacksonville State Gamecocks 8-7 SU, 7-4 ATS
Eastern Illinois Panthers 8-5 SU, 8-3 ATS
Jacksonville State vs. Eastern Illinois Key Betting Trends
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The Underdog is 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in the previous three.
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EIU has won the last three overall.
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EIU is 5-1 at home this season.
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Both teams are 4-4 SU in the previous eight contests.
Public Money Consensus
In the early going we have seen 75% of the money go in with the Panthers against the spread. The market has moved by half of a point since the open, indicating an early lean on the favorite Eastern Illinois. In Over/Under markets we have seen the market ascend by a point from an open of 138.5 to 139.5, indicating action on the Over.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Eastern Illinois Panthers Prediction
Jacksonville State has already squared off with teams such as Chattanooga and Maryland already and although they lost in both affairs, they are certainly more lathered up against premium competition as they took on a defending conference champion and a perennial Power Conference NCAA Tournament regular. To bolster their accolades, the Gamecocks most recently defeated the team with the best record in the Ohio Valley Conference on their own court, when they rolled Tennessee-Martin by a score of 90-72. Eastern Illinois’ best opponent is nowhere near the likes of Chattanooga or Maryland in terms of caliber. The feather in the cap for EIU this season is finally teeing off on a lowly Western Illinois on two separate occasions. While the Panthers may have since planted a foot in the rivalry series, their other victories came against Troy, South Alabama, Illinois-Chicago, Fontbonne and Saint Francis of Illinois. The best win overall for the Panthers was likely when they edged out Missouri by a three-pointer on the road in Columbia as a nine-point underdog. However, the Tigers stand at just 5-7 and currently on a four-game losing streak. The difference in strength of schedule will be the determining factor in this contest. Jacksonville State’s experience against bigger opponents than any foe EIU has faced all-season long will likely pay dividends for J-State. There is no reason to suspect they cannot win this one outright.
Free Pick: Take Jacksonville State +4
