It’s hard to find a team that has been in as many close conference games as Illinois State. Eleven of the Redbirds’ league games have been decided by single digits, and 10 of those were decided by six points or less. That includes this loss suffered to Northern Iowa four weeks ago:
ISU (15-9 overall, 7-6 Missouri Valley Conference) will be looking for some payback while trying to extend its three-game winning streak tonight against UNI. The Redbirds are coming off a two-point win over UIC, who they are tied with for fifth in the MVC.
UNI (15-9, 9-4) has won its last two and is tied with Bradley for second place in the conference behind Drake.
Illinois State at Northern Iowa Odds
Northern Iowa is a 5.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against Illinois State while the Over/Under is at 140.5.
The Moneyline for UNI is at -196 and at +162 for Illinois State.
Illinois State at Northern Iowa On TV
The matchup between Illinois State and Northern Iowa will be televised on ESPNU.
Tonight’s game tips off at 6 p.m. ET.
Illinois State at Northern Iowa Prediction
I predict Illinois State covers the 5.5-point spread as a road underdog. I also predict this game will go over 140.5 points.
According to KenPom, the Redbirds have the most efficient offense in the conference during league play, with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 115.9. They also have two of the best scorers in the league in forward Chase Walker and guard Johnny Kinziger.
Walker is averaging 15.8 points and six rebounds per game while shooting a league-best 60% from the field. Kinziger is second on the roster with 14.6 PPG and averages three rebounds and three assists per night. The sophomore duo is one of the best in the conference.
Illinois State goes up against a solid Northern Iowa defense that allows just 67.4 PPG and plays physical. Meanwhile, ISU’s defense is in the bottom half of the league in most statistics and allows 72 PPG. The Redbirds allow an effective field-goal percentage of 55.7% and allow opponents to shoot 38.5% from the outside. Those are both the second-worst in the MVC.
It’ll be critical for the Redbirds to force tougher shots against this UNI team that’s efficient with the ball. The Panthers shoot 49.5% from the field, which is the best mark in the conference. They’re shooting 37% from the outside.
I expect both offenses to find a lot of success.
Senior Tytan Anderson leads the Panthers with 14.3 points and 6.5 RPG. Jacob Hutson adds 12.1 PPG, and Trey Campbell averages 10.9 points, four rebounds, and three assists per night.
I think ISU has been playing really well lately and the amount of close games they’ve been in will help to keep this one close.
The Redbirds are 11-1 against the spread as an underdog and UNI is 13-4 ATS as a favorite. The over is 9-3 when ISU is an underdog and 7-10 while the Panthers are a favorite.
