Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction, 1/23/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025

Location: Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, LA

TV: ESPN+

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (13-6) are hosting the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (11-7) at Thomas Assembly Center on Thursday.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers stepped onto the hardwood against MTSU and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 71-57 in their last contest. Western Kentucky ended the contest with a 33.3% field goal percentage (21 out of 63) and converted 5 of their 25 shots from beyond the arc. When they shot from the charity stripe, the Hilltoppers made 10 of their 12 attempts for a rate of 83.3%. With respect to hauling in rebounds, they earned 30 with 9 of them being offensive. They also recorded 9 assists for the contest while forcing the other team into 13 turnovers and earning 8 steals. When discussing defending, Western Kentucky allowed 47.3% from the floor on 26 of 55 shooting. MTSU dished out 7 dimes and had 5 steals in the game. Moreover, MTSU had 39 boards (8 offensive, 31 defensive), but didn't notch a block. MTSU went 60.0% when shooting free throws by making 12 of 20 tries. They buried 7 out of their 21 tries from beyond the arc. When discussing fouls, the Hilltoppers ended up finishing with 16 and MTSU accumulated 15 fouls.

Don McHenry is one guy who was a factor for this contest. He accumulated 16 points on 5 of 16 shooting. He played 31 minutes played and also collected 4 rebounds. He shot 31.3% from the field but didn't record an assist.

Get all of our NCAA Expert Picks

Western Kentucky steps onto the hardwood with a record of 11-7 this year. They have an average of 77.4 pts per contest (113th in Division 1) while going 42.7% from the floor. The Hilltoppers are connecting on 33.9% on 3-pointers (149 of 439) and 72.8% from the free throw line. As a unit, Western Kentucky is pulling in 37.7 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 217 assists for the year, which has them ranked 318th in the nation in terms of passing. They lose possession via turnover 11.6 times per game and as a squad they are committing 17.8 fouls on a nightly basis.

Defensively, the Hilltoppers are forcing their opponents into 14.3 turnovers per contest while drawing 17.1 fouls. They give up 30.6% on shots from distance while they are 289th in Division 1 in PPG allowed (75.4). The Hilltoppers defensively are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 40.8% (458 of 1,123) and they relinquish 41.6 boards per contest as a squad. They are ranked 197th in college in allowing assists to the opposition with 247 surrendered for the campaign.

The last time they took the court, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs took a loss by a final score of 78-76 when they played Kennesaw State. The Bulldogs were able to corral 16 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive rebounds for a total of 25 for this contest. They turned it over 9 times, while getting 6 steals for the contest. Kennesaw State committed 19 fouls for this game which got the Bulldogs to the charity stripe for 22 tries. They were able to knock down 16 of them for a clip of 72.7%. With respect to 3-point shots, Louisiana Tech converted 8 of their 20 tries (40.0%). Overall, the Bulldogs went 26 for 62 from the floor which had them at 41.9%. The Bulldogs permitted Kennesaw State to convert 28 of 57 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 49.1% for the game. They went 25.0% from distance by shooting 5 of 20 and finished the contest at 17 of 25 from the free throw line (68.0%). In reference to cleaning up the glass, Louisiana Tech allowed Kennesaw State to grab 29 in all (10 on the offensive glass).

Daniel Batcho ended up having an impact for the Bulldogs in this contest. He tallied 23 points in his 32 minutes on the hardwood and had 1 assist for the contest. He buried 7 of 13 in this contest giving him a field goal percentage of 53.8%, and added 7 rebounds.

Louisiana Tech has a win-loss mark of 13-6 on the season. As an offensive team, the Bulldogs are hitting on 48.4% from the field, which is ranked 34th in college. Louisiana Tech has earned 1,452 points so far this year (76.4 per contest) and they snag 37.1 rebounds per contest. They are earning an assist 16.6 times per contest (41st in Division 1) and they cough up possession 12.9 times per game. The Bulldogs commit 14.3 fouls per contest while shooting 75.2% from the free throw line.

The Bulldogs on the defensive side of the court are 88th in college in PPG given up with 68.3. They are able to force 11.2 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 41.4% from the floor (76th in the country). The Louisiana Tech defense gives up 30.5% on 3-pointers (143 of 469) and their opposition makes 68.1% of their free throw shots. They have given up 12.6 dimes and 31.7 boards per game, which is ranked 143rd and 43rd in those defensive categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Western Kentucky

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here