The Illinois State Redbirds (10-11, 3-5 MVC) visit the Northern Iowa Panthers (10-9, 6-3) for a Saturday matinee in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Tip time at the McLeod Center is slated for 2 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Illinois State vs. Northern Iowa odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Illinois State clocked a Wednesday home loss to Drake in its last game. The Bulldogs beat the Redbirds, 89-88, in overtime, sending ISU to its third loss in its last four games. In five of the team’s last six losses, Illinois State has allowed more than 80 points.
The Panthers shot 51.2% from the floor in a 64-59 win at Evansville Wednesday. Northern Iowa went into that game off back-to-back overtime losses, but it is now 6-2 over its last eight games. UNI is 4-1 across its last five games in Cedar Falls.
Illinois State at Northern Iowa odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Illinois State +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | Northern Iowa -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois State +9.5 (-115) | Northern Iowa -9.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Illinois State at Northern Iowa odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Northern Iowa 80, Illinois State 70
Money line
No value to be found here: PASS.
Against the spread
Illinois State has gone 10-11 against a substandard schedule. The Redbirds’ faster pace becomes a negative in this one: the Panthers thrive in games that yield more field-goal attempts and breakaway opportunities.
Northern Iowa is a slight lean. BACK THE PANTHERS -9.5 (-107).
Over/Under
The Over is 10-1 in the Redbirds’ last 11 games as an underdog. The Over is 5-0 in the Panthers’ last five games as a home favorite. And it’s 6-3 across the last nine games of this series.
Illinois State is a bottom quartile-type defense in general, and it plays at an above average pace. The Redbirds struggle in perimeter defense, and triples account for an above-average chunk of the UNI offense. The Panthers have shot 38.0% from 3-point-land over their last three games.
Peg this game as having a decent chance of getting close to 160: BACK THE OVER 148.5 (-110).
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