The Redbirds will try to cover the spread at Redbird Arena on Saturday when they get a visit from the Oakland Grizzlies in college basketball action.

The Redbirds sit at 16-11 (12-11 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Grizzlies are currently 15-13 (9-12 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Illinois State is 14-9 OU, and Oakland is 13-7 OU.



View Oakland vs Illinois State Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Illinois State in this one will find them as 6.5-point favorites.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Redbirds, most recently No. 145 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Grizzlies, who rate No. 232 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 78-73 victory for the Redbirds.



How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Illinois State's No. 158-ranked scoring average of 69.2 PPG, against a Grizzlies defense rated No. 341 and allowing 79.1 PPG. The Redbirds FG% has averaged 44.6% to date this season, less than the Grizzlies shooters have managed so far (44.9% per game).

Defensively, Oakland features the nation's No. 317-rated defense on the road, allowing 77.8 points per game. Illinois State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 168 nationally in scoring at home.

Oakland was a 76-68 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Southern Utah. They failed to cover the 11.5-point spread as favorites. Oakland got 30 points from Reggie Hamilton en route to a 76-68 victory over Southern Utah on Wednesday at Athletics Center.

Last time out for Illinois State, they were an 83-77 loser as they battled Indiana State on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 3.5-point underdog. The Redbirds endured an 83-77 loss at the hands of the Sycamores on Tuesday, despite a 16-point effort from Nic Moore at Hulman Center.


Illinois State Redbirds Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Wichita State are 7-3
After playing Indiana State are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

A few Grizzlies at Redbirds trends to consider:
Illinois State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Illinois State's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Illinois State's last 17 games


Next up:
Oakland at UMKC, Thursday, February 23
Illinois State home to Wichita State, Wednesday, February 22