The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Florida International Golden Panthers at EA Diddle Arena on Thursday in NCAA hoops play.

The Golden Panthers will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 2-1-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Hilltoppers are 7-5 ATS. Florida International is 1-2 against the total, while Western Kentucky is 2-6 versus the number.



View Florida International vs Western Kentucky Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to back visiting Florida International before tip-off in this one found them as 7-point underdogs over at Sportsbook earlier.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Hilltoppers sit at No. 59 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Golden Panthers sit at No. 276 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Hilltoppers will win this game 71-65.



How They Match Up:
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature Western Kentucky's No. 40-rated squad against Florida International's No. 258-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, Western Kentucky rates No. 257 in the country with 5.3 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 85 nationally with 7.1 per match.

Defensively, Florida International features the nation's No. 225-rated defense on the road, allowing 73.3 points per game. Western Kentucky, meanwhile, comes in at No. 195 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Florida International was a 48-45 Sportsbook on the road against Texas Southern. Florida International earned a 48-45 victory over Texas Southern on Saturday, getting 14 points from Jerome Frink at Health and PE Arena.

Western Kentucky lost its last outing, a 78-55 result against Louisville on December 22. They failed to cover in that game as a 22.5-point underdog. Western Kentucky was run off the court by the Cardinals on Saturday as Louisville routed them 78-55 at Bridgestone Arena.


Florida International Golden Panthers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Middle Tennessee are 2-8
After a win are 2-8

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing North Texas are 6-4
After playing Louisville are 4-3
After a loss are 6-4

A few Golden Panthers at Hilltoppers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida International's last 6 games when playing on the road against Western Kentucky
Florida International is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida International is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Western Kentucky
Florida International is 1-17 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky is 17-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Florida International
Western Kentucky is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
Western Kentucky is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Florida International
Western Kentucky is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games


Next up:
Florida International at Middle Tennessee, Saturday, December 29
Western Kentucky home to North Texas, Saturday, December 29