SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

This NCAAB matchup features SIU Edwardsville Cougars (17-10 (8-5)) traveling to take on Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (11-16 (6-6)) at Hooper Eblen Center, Cookeville, TN. The SIUE hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Tennessee Tech by 7.8 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. On offense, Tennessee Tech averages 73.1 points per game, which exceeds what the SIUE defense typically allows (70.6 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The SIUE offense puts up 77.6 PPG and faces a Tennessee Tech defense allowing 73.9 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Tennessee Tech will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 1.7-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Tennessee Tech winning by 11 to losing by 14. Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.

Tennessee Tech has struggled this season at 11-16 (6-6). The wins have been hard to come by, and the team is looking for answers on both ends of the floor. Home court advantage will be critical for any chance at pulling off an upset. SIUE sits at 17-10 (8-5) on the season. They've been competitive in most outings but have had their share of inconsistent performances. On the road, they'll need to bring their best effort to come away with a win. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.