Horizon Tournament - NCAA Basketball Game Preview - Flames underdogs vs Crusaders at Valparaiso

Illinois-Chicago FlamesValparaiso Crusaders
6-24March 04, 2014, 08:05 | Athletics-Recreation Center17-14


The Valparaiso Crusaders host Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday, looking to build on their 17-14 mark against the 6-24 Flames in college hoops action at Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Crusaders sit at 17-14 (13-13 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Flames are currently 6-24 (14-14 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Valparaiso is 7-18-1 OU, and Illinois-Chicago is 15-12 OU.

View Illinois-Chicago Flames vs Valparaiso Crusaders Odds and Stats.

The Crusaders were listed as -11-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the total was expected shortly.

According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 142-ranked Crusaders and the No. 246-rated Flames in this matchup.



In their last action, Illinois-Chicago was a 68-61 loser at home against Wright State. They failed to cover the 5-point spread as underdogs. The Flames endured a 68-61 loss at the hands of the Raiders on Saturday, despite a 16-point effort from Kelsey Barlow at UIC Pavilion.

In their last action, Valparaiso was a 63-52 loser at home against Cleveland State. They failed to cover the 2-point spread as favorites. Valparaiso got 13 points from LaVonte Dority but lost anyway, 63-52, to Cleveland State on Saturday at Athletics-Recreation Center.

How They Match Up:
The game also pits Valparaiso's No. 107-ranked offense, averaging 72.68 PPG, against a Flames defense that ranks No. 194 at 72.5 PPG. The Crusaders field goal percentage has averaged 47% so far, more than the Flames marksmen have achieved on the year, 42.27% per game.
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