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Western Illinois heads to UT Martin for an Ohio Valley showdown on Thursday, January 31, with tip-off set for 8:00 PM ET at Skyhawk Arena. Both teams sit in the middle of the conference standings and are looking to gain ground in the postseason race.
UT Martin (11–10, 5–5 OVC) comes in favored, thanks to their uptempo style and home-court edge. Western Illinois (9–12, 4–6 OVC) has been scrappy but inconsistent, particularly on the road. There’s betting value here depending on who controls the pace and protects the ball.
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Western Illinois Leathernecks vs UT Martin Skyhawks Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Illinois Leathernecks | +170 | +4.5 (-110) | O 148.5 (-110) |
| UT Martin Skyhawks | -210 | -4.5 (-110) | U 148.5 (-110) |
Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Form
Western Illinois plays at a slower tempo and leans heavily on post play and rebounding to stay competitive. Their offense runs through the interior, but they lack consistent perimeter shooting. They’ve been competitive in most OVC games, but a lack of transition defense and depth has cost them late in games.
Defensively, they rank middle of the pack in points allowed and do a solid job limiting second chances. But when they play from behind, their inability to create quick scoring runs becomes a liability.
Check the Western Illinois Leathernecks injury report for any rotation updates, and follow trends at the Western Illinois Leathernecks stats and results.
UT Martin Skyhawks Betting Form
UT Martin thrives on pace and energy, especially at home. They score quickly, shoot the three well, and generate momentum through ball pressure and fast breaks. The Skyhawks are averaging over 78 points per game in conference play and have covered three of their last four home games.
Their defense is hit-or-miss, but they win with tempo and pressure. If they shoot well early and force turnovers, they can blow games open. This is the kind of matchup where they’ll look to run the Leathernecks off the floor.
To stay updated, visit the UT Martin Skyhawks injury report. You can also review their offensive splits at the UT Martin Skyhawks schedule and stats.
Western Illinois vs UT Martin Matchup Breakdown
This is a clear contrast in tempo and style. Western Illinois wants to grind it out, limit possessions, and stay close late. UT Martin wants to speed it up, create havoc, and let their shooters go to work.
Key matchup angles:
- UT Martin is 6–2 ATS at home this season
- Leathernecks average just 62 PPG on the road
- Skyhawks force 14.7 turnovers per game
- Western Illinois ranks bottom 5 in OVC in 3PT%
If UT Martin controls tempo early, Western Illinois will struggle to respond.
Western Illinois vs UT Martin Predictions and Best Bets
UT Martin -4.5 is the bet. They’re the more dynamic team, they’re at home, and they’ve got the tempo edge. The market may overrate Western Illinois’ grind-it-out wins, but those don’t translate well on the road against high-paced teams.
Lean Over 148.5 if the Skyhawks dictate — their style tends to pull opponents into faster games. But the side is the stronger play.
Best Bet: UT Martin Skyhawks -4.5 (-110).
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