Check out our free Western Kentucky vs FIU pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in Miami. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.

Western Kentucky vs FIU Pick & Preview: Thursday, January 26th Betting Odds

Hilltoppers vs Golden Panthers Matchup at a Glance

  • Sport: NCAAB
  • Teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FIU Golden Panthers
  • Where: Miami at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
  • Date: Thursday, January 26th
  • Betting Odds: Western Kentucky -2, WKENT -136 | FLINT +112 O/U 144.0

Hilltoppers Preview:

Through 20 games, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have an overall record of 11-9. So far, the Hilltoppers have played 9 games on the road, with a record of 5-4. This season, Western Kentucky has been favored to win in 12 games, sitting with a mark of 7-5. For today’s contest, Western Kentucky has a betting line set -2 points in their favor.

Western Kentucky’s leading scorer this season is Dayvion McKnight, who is averaging 17.0 points per contest. So far, McKnight has accounted for 23.16% of the team’s scoring. In addition, he is contributing 5.15 rebounds per game and 4.2 assists. Jairus Hamilton is the second leading scorer for the Hilltoppers, averaging 10.45 points per game. Between him and Hamilton, they are accounting for 37.4% of the team’s scoring.

Western Kentucky comes into today’s matchup vs FIU, looking to continue their strong offensive play, as they are averaging 75.4 points per game. Through 20 games, they have hit 46.7% of their field goal attempts. In terms of pace, the Hilltoppers have preferred to slow the game down, ranking 345th in possessions per game.

Golden Panthers Preview:

The FIU Golden Panthers head into today’s game in what will be their 21st game of the season, posting a record of 9-11. So far this season, FIU has played 12 games at home, sitting with a record of 8-4. For the season, FIU has been the underdog in 11 games, sitting with a mark of 2-9. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Golden Panthers being +2 point underdogs.

FIU will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Denver Jones who is averaging 19.33 points per game for the Golden Panthers. Jones is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Golden Panthers’ offensive game plan is the play of Arturo Dean who has hit 47.0% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 11.75 points per game.

Offensive production has been hard to come by for FIU this season, as they are currently ranked 213th in college basketball at 70.8 points per game. A major reason for low scoring totals is the fact that they have played at a below average pace, and have struggled to knock down outside shots. As a team, the Golden Panthers’ 3-point shooting percentage sits at just 35.0%, placing them 180th in the NCAA.

Free Spread Prediction: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -2

If you are eying this matchup between FIU Golden Panthers and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as a candidate to place a bet, we have done the work for you and our model recommends taking Western Kentucky to cover the spread as -2 favorites on the road. Although both team’s are going to look to get up shots from outside, we see Western Kentucky shooting well enough to keep the Golden Panthers at bay. Before tip-off, lock in a bet on the Hilltoppers’ to win the game and cover the spread.