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The Northern Iowa Panthers (2-1) take on former Missouri Valley Conference-rival Wichita State Shockers (2-0) Thursday evening. Tip-off from Charles Koch Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Northern Iowa vs. Wichita State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Panthers were tamed by UC-Irvine Sunday in a 80-60 rout at home. Northern Iowa was 3.5-point favorites in the game, and Irvine scored 48 points in the paint and dominated the boards. G Tytan Anderson leads the team with 14 PPG and is 5-for-8 (62.5%) from downtown.
The Shockers have yet to be pushed. They beat Western Kentucky 91-84 as 1-point favorites in their road opener and destroyed Montana State 89-69 in the home opener Saturday. G Justin Hill is averaging 24 points, 6.5 boards and 5.5 assists while shooting 41.7% from distance in the first 2 games.
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Northern Iowa at Wichita State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds Lines last updated at 11:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northern Iowa +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Wichita State -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northern Iowa +7.5 (-110) | Wichita State -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 152.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Northern Iowa at Wichita State picks and predictions
Prediction
Wichita State 85, Northern Iowa 70
Moneyline
These teams battled a lot before Wichita State left the Valley for the AAC. Wichita is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings, but they haven’t met since 2017. The Shockers have scored at will with 89 and 91 points in their first 2 games, and there’s no reason to believe a Northern Iowa team that was bullied in the paint by an underdog will change that.
There are no props available, and the ML is too expensive. PASS.
Against the spread
Hill and the Shockers are hard to keep up with. UNI actually shoots better from the 3-point line, but as witnessed in its last game, they are brittle underneath. C Quincy Ballard is a big-bodied, 6-foot-11, 250-pound beast underneath. He’s averaging 11.5 PPG on 90% shooting.
Take WICHITA STATE -7.5 (-110).
Over/Under
The Shockers play at the 23rd pace in the nation, but UNI resembles snails on the court tied for 209th. The Panthers will try to slow things down and take the best shot.
I think Wichita is a lock for 85, and UNI will just have to hit close to 70 for this number to cash. UNI scored 96 and 87 against lesser teams so that spark is there.
Take the OVER 152.5 (-110).
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