Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/3/23

The Colonels and Hilltoppers are set to face off at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The Hilltoppers will host the game at E. A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Hilltoppers as the betting favorite with the over/under line sitting at 154 points.

EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS VS WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -4.5

This game will be played at E. A. Diddle Arena at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 3rd.

WHY BET THE WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-67 in favor of the Hilltoppers.
• Not only will Western Kentucky pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -4.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 154 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.

Will Eastern Kentucky Win on the Road?

As they approach their 6th game of the season, Eastern Kentucky currently holds a 3-2 overall record. In their last three road games, which includes games from last year, Eastern Kentucky has a record of 2-1. Eastern Kentucky enters today’s game with a 0-3 ATS record. Looking back at their previous ten games, including the previous season, Eastern Kentucky has gone 5-3 vs. the spread.

So far, Eastern Kentucky’s games have averaged 149 points per game with the average over/under line being 156.3 points. The Colonels have an over/under record of 0-3 in their last three games, with their games averaging 148 points per game.

Compared to their season average of 91.2 points per game, Eastern Kentucky struggled in their previous game. Against Troy, the Colonels scored 77 points while finishing with a field goal percentage of 44.6%. Leading the team in scoring is Isaiah Cozart, who is averaging 16.6 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Leland Walker also maintains a PPG average of 12.6 heading into game.

Currently, the Colonels’ defense holds the 184th rank in the nation, allowing 75.8 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Eastern Kentucky’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 32.8% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 26.1% this season.

Does Western Kentucky Stand a Chance at Home?

The Hilltoppers come into today’s game with a 5-3 record, having recently lost to UNC Asheville (77-67). In away games, the Hilltoppers are 2-1 this season, but they have yet to win a game at home, going 0-2. As of today’s game, Western Kentucky has a 2-3 record against the spread for the season. Looking at their last five games, the team has gone 1-2 vs. the spread.

Western Kentucky’s games have, on average, featured 148.4 points per game leading to an over/under record of 2-3-0. Their average over/under line is currently 149.9 points so far. The Hilltoppers have seen their last five games conclude with a collective average of 157 points per game and an over/under record of 1-2.

In contrast to their season average of 81.1 points per game, the Western Kentucky had a below average performance. They scored 67 points against UNC Asheville and had a field goal percentage of 50%. One area that the Western Kentucky offense has been good this season is getting to the line. Currently, they are 64th in free-throw attempts per contest. Overall, they have a field goal percentage of 44%.

In terms of defense, Western Kentucky is currently on par with the NCAA average for points allowed, giving up an average of 74.4 points per game. Against UNC Asheville in their most recent game, the Western Kentucky defense gave up a total of 77 points while allowing UNC Asheville to hit 50% of their shots.