UMKC travels to Western Illinois on Thursday, hoping to boost its 7-22 record with a victory over the Leathernecks.

Western Illinois will face the 7-22 Kangaroos, who own a 12-13 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Leathernecks are 9-10 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Kangaroos are 12-10 favoring the OVER.



View UMKC vs Western Illinois Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the Sportsbook NCAA basketball line for this matchup, Western Illinois sat as 14.5-point favorites over at Sportsbook. Also, check out the current total, which often goes up first at online sportsbook Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 343-rated UMKC taking on the No. 194-rated Leathernecks in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 69-52 win for the Leathernecks on Thursday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Western Illinois's No. 314-ranked offense, averaging 60.3 PPG, against a Kangaroos defense that ranks No. 296 at 71.9 PPG. The Leathernecks field goal percentage has averaged 47% so far, more than the Kangaroos marksmen have achieved on the year, 42.5% per game.

Defensively, UMKC features the nation's No. 289-rated defense on the road, allowing 74.6 points per game. Western Illinois, meanwhile, comes in at No. 313 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, UMKC was a 68-62 loser on the road against Tennessee Tech. They covered the 8.5-point spread as underdogs. UMKC got 16 points from Nelson Kirksey but lost anyway, 68-62, to Tennessee Tech on Saturday at Eblen Center.

Last time out for Western Illinois, they were a 60-54 loser as they battled Cleveland State at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 10-point favorite. The Leathernecks got 15 points from Adam Link, but it was Cleveland State that prevailed in a 60-54 final on Saturday at Western Hall.

Next up:
UMKC at IUPUI, Saturday, March 2
Western Illinois home to South Dakota, Saturday, March 2