Panthers vs Redbirds College Hoops Game Preview

Northern Iowa PanthersIllinois State Redbirds
March 2, 3:35 PM | Scottrade Center

Northern Iowa Panthers vs Illinois State Redbirds Odds

19-12TEAM RECORD18-12



Northern Iowa travels to Illinois State on Friday, hoping to boost its 19-12 record with a victory over the Redbirds.

This game is part of the Missouri Valley Tournament which will decide the conference champion and help decide March Madness seedings. This matchup is a neutral-site affair being played at Scottrade Center.

The Redbirds are 18-12 so far on the season, and 12-14 ATS vs. the number. The Panthers, meanwhile, are 19-12 and 14-15-1 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Illinois State go 14-11-1 and the Panthers go 14-15-1 on the totals.



View Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
College basketball odds makers opened the Redbirds as 3-point underdogs in this matchupl.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 153-ranked Redbirds and the No. 165-rated Panthers in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 71-69 win for the Redbirds on Friday.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Illinois State's No. 166 nationally ranked offense (68.6 points per game) against a Panthers defense that sits as the No. 55 at 62 PPG. The Redbirds have been averaging 44.1% from the field, more than the Panthers have managed so far this season (43.8% on average).

Defensively, Northern Iowa features the nation's No. 58-rated defense on the road, allowing 64.7 points per game. Illinois State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 177 nationally in scoring at home.

Northern Iowa won its last outing, a 65-61 result against Southern Illinois on February 25. They covered in that game as a 3.5-point favorite. Northern Iowa got 18 points from Anthony James en route to a 65-61 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday at SIU Arena.

Illinois State won its last outing, a 54-53 result against Bradley on February 25. They failed to cover in that game as a 7.5-point favorite. The Redbirds got 16 points from Jackie Carmichael as Illinois State ran past Bradley 54-53 on Saturday at Carver Arena.


Northern Iowa Panthers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
After playing Southern Illinois are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Illinois State Redbirds Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
After playing Bradley are 6-4
After a win are 4-6


A few Panthers at Redbirds trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois State's last 7 games when playing Northern Iowa
Illinois State is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Northern Iowa
Illinois State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games


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