Thursday’s contest that pits the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (10-5, 1-1 CUSA) against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-6, 0-1 CUSA) at E. A. Diddle Arena has a projected final score of 78-73 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of Western Kentucky, who is a slight favorite in this matchup according to our model. Tipoff is at 8:00 PM ET on January 9.

Based on our computer prediction, Jacksonville State projects to cover the 6.5-point spread in its matchup against Western Kentucky. The over/under is listed at 152.5, and the two sides are projected to go under that total.

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Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Game Info & Odds

• Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• TV: ESPN+
• Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Bowling Green, Kentucky
• Venue: E. A. Diddle Arena
• Line: Western Kentucky -6.5
• Point total: 152.5
• Moneyline (to win): Western Kentucky -290, Jacksonville State +225

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Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Western Kentucky 78, Jacksonville State 73

Spread & Total Prediction for Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State

• Pick ATS: Jacksonville State (+6.5)
• Pick OU: Under (152.5)

Western Kentucky’s record against the spread this season is 8-5-0, while Jacksonville State’s is 7-4-0. In terms of hitting the over, games involving the Hilltoppers are 5-8-0 and the Gamecocks are 6-5-0. The two teams score an average of 159.8 points per game, 7.3 more points than this matchup’s total. Western Kentucky has a 6-4 record against the spread while going 7-3 overall over the last 10 contests. Jacksonville State has gone 7-3 against the spread and 5-5 overall in its last 10 contests.

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Western Kentucky Performance Insights

• The Hilltoppers’ +40 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 2.7 points per game) is a result of scoring 79.0 points per game (95th in college basketball) while allowing 76.3 per contest (299th in college basketball).
• Western Kentucky loses the rebound battle by an average of 3.7 boards. It is grabbing 33.6 rebounds per game (144th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 37.3 per contest.
• Western Kentucky connects on 8.3 three-pointers per game (131st in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 9.0. It shoots 34.5% from deep while its opponents hit 32.3% from long range.
• The Hilltoppers average 93.7 points per 100 possessions (235th in college basketball), while allowing 90.6 points per 100 possessions (168th in college basketball).
• Western Kentucky wins the turnover battle by 1.9 per game, committing 11.9 (222nd in college basketball) while its opponents average 13.8.

Jacksonville State Performance Insights

• The Gamecocks outscore opponents by 10.2 points per game (posting 80.8 points per game, 67th in college basketball, and giving up 70.6 per outing, 158th in college basketball) and have a +142 scoring differential.
• Jacksonville State ranks 22nd in the country at 37.1 rebounds per game. That’s 8.4 more than the 28.7 its opponents average.
• Jacksonville State makes 8.9 three-pointers per game (90th in college basketball) at a 38.9% rate (20th in college basketball), compared to the 9.7 its opponents make, shooting 34.3% from beyond the arc.
• Jacksonville State loses the turnover battle by 2.0 per game, committing 9.1 (10th in college basketball) while its opponents average 7.1.

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