The 2024-25 college basketball season kicks off with the Southern Illinois Salukis taking on the College of Charleston Cougars in The Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase. Both teams have new head coaches this season, with Chris Mack leading Charleston and Scotty Nagy coaching Southern Illinois. Charleston, under former coach Pat Kelsey, made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, while Southern Illinois looks to make a return to the Big Dance after three winning seasons. The game is set for noon ET at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., with Charleston now favored by 3.5 points.
Charleston is entering a new era under coach Mack, who has revamped the roster with transfers and returning players like Ante Brzovic and CJ Fulton. Brzovic, the second-leading scorer last season, is joined by newcomers like Derrin Boyd and AJ Smith, who bring scoring and experience to the team. Southern Illinois, on the other hand, has momentum with coach Nagy familiar with the venue and key players like Kennard Davis Jr. and Ali Dibba returning. The model predicts an Over on the total points and a point-spread pick that hits in 60% of simulations.
In terms of betting lines, Charleston is favored by 3.5 points with an over/under of 146.5 points. The money line has Charleston at -163 and Southern Illinois at +138. Charleston has only covered the spread once in its last six November games, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup. The model at SportsLine has simulated the game 10,000 times and provides insights into which side of the spread is the smarter pick.
Overall, the game between Charleston and Southern Illinois promises to be an exciting start to the college basketball season, with new coaches, talented players, and betting opportunities to consider. Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see how this matchup unfolds and whether the predictions hold true. Be sure to follow the latest updates and analysis on SportsLine to stay informed about this game and other college basketball matchups throughout the season.
