The Illinois-Chicago Flames will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Valparaiso Crusaders at UIC Pavilion on Wednesday in NCAA hoops play.

Supporters of the Crusaders have watched them go 11-5 and 7-6 ATS on the year, while the Flames are at 10-5 and 9-5 ATS. In totals betting, the Flames are 3-6-1, while the Crusaders have a 2-9 mark.



View Valparaiso vs Illinois-Chicago Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Illinois-Chicago in this one found them as 1.5-point underdogs earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Flames rated this week at No. 53 and the Crusaders sitting at No. 127. It may or may not play a role in Odds Shark score prediction modelling that produced a 71-67 result in favor of the Crusaders.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Illinois-Chicago's No. 281-ranked offense, averaging 62.9 PPG, against a Crusaders defense that ranks No. 38 at 58.9 PPG. The Flames field goal percentage has averaged 39.1% so far, less than the Crusaders marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.9% per game.

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Valparaiso owns the country's No. 67-rated mark, allowing 64 points per game on the highway. Illinois-Chicago, on the other hand, rates No. 273 in scoring at home.

Valparaiso was a 74-50 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Cleveland State. They covered the 13-point spread as favorites. The Crusaders blew out Cleveland State on Friday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 74-50 win at Athletics-Recreation Center.

Illinois-Chicago was a 60-50 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Cleveland State. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites. Gary Talton scored 10 points in a futile effort to lead the Flames to a win (they lost 60-50 to Cleveland State at Wolstein Center on Monday).


Valparaiso Crusaders Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Wisc-Milwaukee are 5-5
After playing Cleveland State are 9-1
After a win are 5-5

Illinois-Chicago Flames Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Wisc-Green Bay are 3-7
After playing Cleveland State are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

A few Crusaders at Flames trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Valparaiso's last 5 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Valparaiso is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Valparaiso is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Valparaiso is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Illinois-Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois-Chicago's last 5 games when playing at home against Valparaiso
Illinois-Chicago is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Illinois-Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games


Next up:
Valparaiso at Wisc-Milwaukee, Saturday, January 12
Illinois-Chicago at Wisc-Green Bay, Saturday, January 12