The Illinois State Cardinals (8-11, 3-5 MVC) and Northern Iowa Panthers (9-9, 5-3) meet Wednesday at McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois State vs. Northern Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Redbirds have won just 2 of their last 6 games, while also going 2-4 against the spread (ATS) during the span. The Over has hit in 4 consecutive games for Illinois State with its last Under coming in a 66-60 home loss against UNI on Dec. 31.
The Panthers suffered a 76-72 loss at Belmont last time out on Saturday, snapping a 4-game win streak. UNI is on a 3-game cover streak, and it is a healthy 6-2 ATS across the past 8 games overall.
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Illinois State at Northern Iowa odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois State +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Northern Iowa -390 (bet $390 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois State +8.5 (-115) | Northern Iowa -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Illinois State at Northern Iowa picks and predictions
Prediction
Northern Iowa 71, Illinois State 67
Moneyline
Northern Iowa (-390) will cost you nearly 4 times your potential return in this Missouri Valley Conference outing. The Panthers picked up the 66-60 win on the road against Illinois State in the first meeting on New Year’s Eve, but there is plenty of risk with not much reward.
PASS.
Against the spread
ILLINOIS STATE +8.5 (-115) is worth a look, although there is a little risk. The Redbirds are just 2-9 ATS in the past 11 games on the road. However, this is a big number, and Northern Iowa is just 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games against teams with a losing overall mark.
Over/Under
OVER 134.5 (-105) is the lean, as the trends point to a higher-scoring game.
The Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 home games for UNI while going 33-11 in its past 44 games following a cover.
The Over has cashed in 4 in a row for Illinois State and is 6-2 in its last 8 games on the road.
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