The Crusaders hope to be lousy hosts on Saturday as the Illinois-Chicago Flames pay a visit to Athletics-Recreation Center on the college basketball betting menu.

This season, the Crusaders are 20-10 overall and 11-11-1 ATS ATS, while the Flames are 7-22 and 9-13-1 ATS against the number. As for the totals, Valparaiso boasts a 13-9 on the OU, and Illinois-Chicago is 10-11-2.



View Illinois-Chicago vs Valparaiso Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had set the Crusaders as 13.5-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Crusaders, most recently No. 62 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Flames, who rate No. 269 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 73-61 victory for the Crusaders.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Flames is ranked No. 104 in NCAA hoops at 36.2 per game. Contrast that with Valparaiso’s No. 204 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Valparaiso is the No. 162-ranked team in the country at 6.2 per game, while Illinois-Chicago rates No. 319 at 4.6 per game.

Defensively, Illinois-Chicago features the nation's No. 236-rated defense on the road, allowing 73.1 points per game. Valparaiso, meanwhile, comes in at No. 153 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Illinois-Chicago, they were a 79-52 loser as they battled Butler at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 9.5-point underdog. Illinois-Chicago was crushed on Saturday, getting blown out by Butler and falling by a 79-52 score at UIC Pavilion.

Last time out for Valparaiso, they were a 68-48 loser as they battled Loyola of Chicago at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 9-point favorite. Valparaiso was crushed on Thursday, getting blown out by Loyola of Chicago and falling by a 68-48 score at Athletics-Recreation Center.


Illinois-Chicago Flames Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 2-5
After playing Butler are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8

Valparaiso Crusaders Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
After playing Loyola of Chicago are 2-7
After a loss are 7-3

A few Flames at Crusaders trends to consider:
Illinois-Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Valparaiso's last 9 games
Valparaiso is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games
Valparaiso is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home