Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. UT Martin Skyhawks Picks and Prediction for Thursday, March 5, 2026
Use Code WWWC We’ve got a quarterfinal matchup in the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament as the No. 8 seed Eastern Illinois Panthers face the No. 4 seed UT Martin Skyhawks in Evansville, IN. Eastern Illinois advanced by upsetting SIUE in overtime in the first round, while UT Martin earned one of the top seeds thanks to a strong regular season. UT Martin won both regular-season meetings, including a 76-68 road victory on Jan. 29 and a 65-61 win on Jan. 3. Eastern Illinois upset SIUE 77-71 in OT on March 4 to get here. Get in on the action with our free NCAAB picks.
Panthers aim to sustain momentum
Eastern Illinois finished the 2025-26 regular season at 12-19 (8-12 OVC) and needed a tournament win to extend its season. The Panthers finished near the bottom of OVC standings but have shown resilience down the stretch, with a notable overtime win to open the tournament. They average 66.9 points per game while allowing 70.5 PPG, per league stats. Eastern Illinois ranks around 342nd nationally in scoring offense, which underscores offensive challenges.
Key Players & 2025-26 Stats
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Zion Fruster (G): Team leader and primary scorer.
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Meechie White (G): Secondary contributor capable of big scoring nights and defensive plays.
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Kooper Jacobi (F): Adds inside/outside scoring and rebounding help.
Strengths
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Coming off a tournament win in OT, confidence is up and clutch plays are possible.
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Multiple perimeter threats can push tempo if shots fall.
Weaknesses
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Struggles to score consistently, Eastern Illinois ranks near the bottom in scoring offense.
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Defensive lapses have been an issue, particularly allowing second-chance points.
Skyhawks look to stay dominant
UT Martin enjoyed a strong 2025-26 season, finishing 21-10 (13-7 OVC) and earning a high seed in the conference tournament. The Skyhawks have one of the better defenses in the OVC allowing only 63.0 PPG, which ranks top-five in the league and is among the better defensive marks nationally. They’re also steady on offense with about 70.4 PPG.
UT Martin also defeated Eastern Illinois twice in conference play, including a 76-68 win where Andrija Bukumirović scored 21 and Damien King had 17.
Key Players & 2025-26 Stats
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Andrija Bukumirović (G/F): One of the Skyhawks’ leading scorers and rebounders, capable of controlling both ends.
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Damien King (G): Efficient scorer who went “7-of-8” for 17 points in a key win vs. EIU.
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Matas Deniusas (G/F): Provides consistent scoring and perimeter threat.
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Filip Radaković (G): Helps stretch the floor with shooting and contributes defensively.
Strengths
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Tough defense UT Martin limits scoring better than nearly every OVC team.
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Balanced scoring and rebounding the Skyhawks average over 40 rebounds per game and can score from multiple spots.
Weaknesses
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Offense can plateau at times, UT Martin’s scoring average is solid but not explosive.
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Turnovers occasionally crop up vs. pressure defenses.
Eastern Illinois vs. UT Martin Picks
- UT Martin up to -8 (5 units)
The Skyhawks’ strong defense and season success give them the edge in this rematch. Eastern Illinois has momentum after an overtime tournament win, but UT Martin has the scoring balance and defensive rebounding to control possessions and pull away.
Total Pick for Eastern Illinois vs. UT Martin
- Under down to 135.5 (5 units)
Both teams play methodical offense and UT Martin’s defense typically keeps opponents under control. With Eastern Illinois’ scoring struggles and UT Martin focusing on half-court execution, this figures as a low-tempo, lower-scoring affair
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