Belmont Bruins vs Southern Illinois Salukis Picks and Predictions January 17th 2026

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Belmont Bruins vs Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Preview

The Belmont Bruins look to continue their dominant season, while the Southern Illinois Salukis aim to defend their home floor in this Missouri Valley clash at the Banterra Center.

Line Movement and Odds

Belmont enters as the favorite, but Southern Illinois’ strong home record makes this line competitive. Current market:

  • Belmont Spread: -2.5 (-117)
  • Southern Illinois Spread: +2.5 (-104)
  • Belmont MoneyLine: -160
  • Southern Illinois MoneyLine: +126
  • Total: 153.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Belmont Outlook

The Bruins average 83.1 points per game, with Jabez Jenkins, Tyler Lundblade, and Drew Scharnowski leading the offense. Jenkins’ 17 points vs Valparaiso highlighted his consistency, while Lundblade’s 16 points per game showcase his impact. Belmont’s shooting efficiency (51.3% FG, 13th nationally; 60.0% eFG, 7th nationally) underscores their strengths. Their 16-3 record and 8-1 road mark highlight resilience, making them a dangerous favorite.

Southern Illinois Outlook

The Salukis average 74.2 points per game, with Damien Mayo Jr., Quel’Ron House, and Drew Steffe driving production. Mayo’s 19 points and 7 rebounds vs Drake highlighted his consistency, while House’s all-around play (11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) showcased versatility. Southern Illinois’ shooting efficiency (47.1% FG) and rebounding (38.9 per game) underscore their strengths. Their 8-10 record and 6-2 home mark highlight consistency, making them tough at the Banterra Center.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on pace and rebounding. Belmont thrives on efficient shooting and offensive depth, while Southern Illinois must rely on rebounding and home-court energy to tilt the game. Turnovers and late-game execution will likely decide the margin.

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Injuries / Availability

Belmont: No injuries reported.

Southern Illinois: No notable injuries listed.

Environment

The Banterra Center has been a reliable venue for Southern Illinois, where they’ve gone 6-2 this season. Belmont enters with confidence from strong offensive performances, making this a clash of home strength vs national contender momentum.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: Belmont 82, Southern Illinois 78

  • Belmont -2.5 → Best Bet. Their shooting efficiency and balanced scoring suggest they can cover the spread.
  • Over 153.5 → Total play. Both teams’ scoring profiles point toward a combined score above the line.

Belmont’s depth and offensive rhythm should carry them to victory, while Southern Illinois’ home-court advantage keeps the game competitive. Expect a high-scoring contest with totals surpassing the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Missouri Valley games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers highlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard shows who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like Belmont vs Southern Illinois, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.

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