- Matchup: Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Western Illinois Leathernecks
- Scheduled Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- Venue: Western Hall, Macomb, IL
- Broadcasting: ESPN+
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The Eastern Illinois Panthers (10-15) are heading to Western Hall this Tuesday, aiming to overcome the Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-21).
In their latest outing, the Eastern Illinois Panthers secured a win against Tennessee Tech with a score of 60-54. Eastern Illinois achieved a field goal percentage of 38.9% (21 out of 54) and connected on 5 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, the Panthers converted 13 of 16 for an impressive 81.3%. On the boards, they recorded 25 rebounds, including 7 offensive. The team also delivered 9 assists, enforced 20 turnovers, and registered 10 steals defensively. The Panthers permitted Tennessee Tech to shoot 37.0% from the field with 17 successful shots out of 46 attempts. Tennessee Tech managed 8 assists and 2 steals, along with 35 total rebounds (11 offensive, 24 defensive), while shooting 85.0% from the free-throw line by making 17 of 20 attempts. The Panthers committed a total of 16 fouls compared to Tennessee Tech’s 17.
A standout performance came from Zion Fruster, who hit 50.0% of his shots, finishing with a total of 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, while also securing 3 rebounds and providing 1 assist over 34 minutes of play.
Currently, Eastern Illinois holds a record of 10-15 for the season. They score an average of 66.7 points per game (ranking 345th nationwide) and have a shooting percentage of 42.8% from the floor. The Panthers are converting 32.6% of their three-point attempts (141 out of 433) and stand at 73.8% from the free-throw line. As a collective unit, Eastern Illinois averages 32.4 rebounds per game and has accumulated 310 assists on the season, ranking 258th in collegiate basketball for passing. They give up possession 13.0 times per game and commit 16.4 personal fouls on average.
Defensively, the Panthers generate 13.8 turnovers per game while committing 15.9 fouls. They concede a three-point shooting percentage of 29.4% and rank 77th in limiting opponents’ scoring at 69.8 points per game. The Panthers’ defense allows opposing teams to shoot 43.0% from the field (605 out of 1,406) and give up 35.4 rebounds per game, ranking 264th in assists allowed with 350 for the current year.
In their most recent game, the Western Illinois Leathernecks fell to Tennessee State, losing 83-56. Western Illinois allowed Tennessee State to secure 38 rebounds overall (10 offensive). They struggled from long range, shooting just 21.1% (4 of 19) while finishing 11 of 12 from the free-throw line for a rate of 91.7%. Tennessee State shot 34 of 66 from the floor for 51.5%. The Leathernecks managed only 18 field goals from 54 attempts, translating to a shooting percentage of 33.3%, while also making 20.0% of their three-point attempts (4 of 20). They knocked down 16 free throws for a 72.7% success rate. Tennessee State committed 18 fouls, landing Western Illinois on the line for 22 attempts. The Leathernecks had 28 total rebounds, with 18 on defense and 10 on offense.
Lucas Lorenzen was a key player for the Leathernecks, scoring 24 points on 8 of 18 shooting (44.4% efficiency) and grabbing 6 rebounds in his 33 minutes on the court, along with 1 assist.
Western Illinois has recorded a 4-21 win-loss record this season. The Leathernecks commit 16.4 fouls per game and have a free-throw conversion rate of 68.1%. Their assists average is 8.0 per game (ranking 365th in D-1), with 11.8 turnovers each game. Western Illinois has tallied 1,629 points this season (65.2 per game) while securing 32.8 rebounds on average. Offensively, they shoot 40.0% from the field, placing them 356th nationally.
Defensively, the Leathernecks rank 260th in points allowed, yielding 76.7 points per game. They induce 10.7 turnovers per contest while allowing opponents to shoot 47.3% from the floor (334th in college). Western Illinois’s defense lets opponents convert 36.4% of three-point attempts (198 out of 544) and 71.8% from the free-throw line. They permit an average of 13.9 assists and 35.6 rebounds per game, ranking them 220th and 254th in the country, respectively.
Which team will prevail in today’s NCAA face-off against the spread?
Prediction: Select Western Illinois
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