Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Picks and Prediction for Saturday, February 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC On Saturday, the Western Michigan Broncos will pay a visit to the rival Central Michigan Chippewas for a MAC basketball game, and we have you ready to go with our Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Mount Pleasant, MI, is at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The Chips are 3.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 152 points scored.
WMU defeated CMU 77-65 at home on January 24, covering the spread as 5.5-point betting favorites. The Broncos won the rebounding battle, hit 23 free throws, and scored 32 points in the paint. They only led by four at the half, but pulled away after the break, as the Chips struggled to knock down their threes (4-for-23). These programs first met on the hardwood on February 18, 1908. Western leads the all-time series 103-65, but Central has won six of the last ten matchups (5-4-1 ATS). The under was 8-2 in those games. If you want the Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
Broncos dominated the second half in the first matchup
Western Michigan (9-17 SU, 12-12 ATS, and 14-10 O/U) lost 90-73 to Akron earlier this week, failing to cover as 14.5-point betting underdogs. The Broncos hit 41 percent of their threes, but were outrebounded 43-27 and outscored 42-24 in the paint. The Zips also scored 20 fast-break points and knocked down 43 percent of their three-pointers.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
The Broncos, who are 3-10 in conference play, were picked to finish tenth in the MAC's preseason poll. They are led by third-year head coach Dwayne Stephens (41-80 record), who spent the previous 19 years as an assistant and associate head coach under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. WMU scores 74.8 points per game (252nd) on 44.4 percent shooting (237th), including 35.3 percent from long range (111th). Defensively, the Broncos allow 79.7 points per game (301st) on 46.0 percent shooting (286th), including 35.6 percent from three-point range (300th).
KenPom ranks Western Michigan 282nd in the country, including 180th in offensive efficiency rating and 336th in defensive efficiency rating. The Broncos are led by senior guard Justice Williams, who averages 15.7 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting, including 41.2 percent from deep. A few other players to watch in Saturday's MAC basketball game vs. Central Michigan are junior guard Jalen Griffith (12.7 PPG and 3.5 APG), senior guard Jayden Brewer (12.5 PPG and 6.4 RPG), and freshman guard Brady Swartz (7.6 PPG and 4.3 RPG).
Western Michigan Broncos Injury Report:
- No injuries to report.
Central Michigan has plenty of offensive firepower
Central Michigan (8-18 SU, 13-11 ATS, and 10-14 O/U) lost 66-54 to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night, failing to cover the spread as 4.5-point 'dogs. The Chippewas never led by more than two points and trailed by as many as 19. They shot 37 percent overall, including 2-for-17 from beyond the arc, and missed half of their free throws. EMU won the rebounding battle and scored 23 points off the Chips' 14 turnovers.
CMU is in its first season under head coach Andy Bronkema, who spent the previous 12 seasons as the HC at Ferris State, where he won a D-II national championship. Central Michigan was picked to finish 12th out of 13 teams in the MAC preseason poll. The Chippewas, who last made the NCAA Tournament in 2003, finished second in the MAC in scoring defense last season (72.2 PPG allowed). The 2025-26 roster is comprised of 12 transfers and three freshmen.
Seven-foot senior center Nathan Claerbaut leads Central Michigan in scoring (12.4 PPG) and rebounding (5.8 RPG). He shoots 56.8 percent from the floor. A few other Chips to watch in Saturday's MAC hoops game vs. Western Michigan are senior guard Tamario Adley (12.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 3.6 APG), senior guard Logan McIntire (10.4 PPG), and sophomore guard Phat Phat Brooks (10.1 PPG and 3.7 APG). KenPom ranks CMU 275th nationally, including 240th in offensive efficiency rating and 292nd in defensive efficiency rating.
Central Michigan Chippewas Injury Report:
- No injuries to report.
Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan
- Central Michigan -3.5 (5 Units)
The Chippewas enter Saturday's matchup with a momentum advantage over the Broncos, who lost eight of their past 10 games. Central Michigan has been especially hot offensively, scoring 80-plus points in four of its last six games. The home team ranks 22nd nationally in offensive momentum, per Haslametrics, and has also been stout defensively, ranking 53rd in defensive momentum. I expect them to handle their business against a WMU squad that has struggled on the road (336th in Haslametrics' Away from Home metric). I don't anticipate another poor shooting performance by the Chips from long range in the rematch, as the Broncos have one of the worst perimeter defenses in the country (300th in opponent 3PT%). CMU can also attack them in the paint, as the visitors rank 290th in near-proximity defense.
Central has covered the spread in four of its last six games and will be eager to get revenge in Saturday's rivalry clash. Bet on the Chippewas to cover the spread at home!
Over/Under Pick for Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan
- Over 152 (4 Units)
These MAC squads only combined for 142 points in their first meeting, but I doubt Central shoots 4-for-23 from three again at home. With a more efficient three-point stroke and more momentum on their side, the Chippewas will score plenty of early buckets and keep it up after halftime. The Broncos rank outside the top 300 in defensive efficiency, as they're soft both on the perimeter and around the rim.
The Chippewas are also a weak defensive team, ranking barely inside the top-300 in efficiency. They allowed 85-plus points in two of their last three losses, and rank outside the top 300 in opponent free-throw attempt rate, quick points allowed off breakaway steals, quick points allowed off second-chance offensive rebounds, and second-chance conversion percentage. WMU averaged 76 points in its previous three games and should have no trouble generating points in the paint and at the foul line, as it did in the first matchup.
Betting on College Basketball?
- Join Winners and Whiners premium for free and get a free $30 coupon with code FREE30
- Get started and wager on college hoops today with our favorite online sportsbooks
- Claim a CBB betting bonus offer with the best sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
