The Valparaiso Crusaders will look to boost their win total and cover the spread when they tip off against the Wisc-Milwaukee Panthers at Athletics-Recreation Center on Friday in NCAA hoops play.

The Panthers will look to vanquish their hosts on Friday, as they are 7-12-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Crusaders are 11-8 ATS. Wisc-Milwaukee is 7-9 against the total, while Valparaiso is 8-9 versus the number.



View Wisc-Milwaukee vs Valparaiso Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 19-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 261-rated Wisc-Milwaukee taking on the No. 101-rated Crusaders in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 74-58 win for the Crusaders on Friday.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Panthers is ranked No. 218 in NCAA hoops at 34 per game. Contrast that with Valparaiso’s No. 199 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Valparaiso is the No. 96-ranked team in the country at 6.9 per game, while Wisc-Milwaukee rates No. 102 at 6.8 per game.

Defensively, Wisc-Milwaukee features the nation's No. 174-rated defense on the road, allowing 69.6 points per game. Valparaiso, meanwhile, comes in at No. 135 nationally in scoring at home.

Wisc-Milwaukee was a 76-65 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Loyola of Chicago. They covered the 12-point spread as underdogs. Wisc-Milwaukee got 17 points from Jordan Aaron but lost anyway, 76-65, to Loyola of Chicago on Wednesday at Joseph J. Gentile Center.

Last time out for Valparaiso, they were an 80-68 loser as they battled Youngstown State on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 3.5-point favorite. Valparaiso got 14 points from Kevin Van Wijk but lost anyway, 80-68, to Youngstown State on Wednesday at Beeghly Center.


Wisc-Milwaukee Panthers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing Loyola of Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8

Valparaiso Crusaders Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Illinois-Chicago are 6-4
After playing Youngstown State are 7-3
After a loss are 9-1

A few Panthers at Crusaders trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wisc-Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing on the road against Valparaiso
Wisc-Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Valparaiso
Wisc-Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
Valparaiso is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Valparaiso's last 5 games when playing at home against Wisc-Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Valparaiso's last 11 games when playing Wisc-Milwaukee


Next up:
Wisc-Milwaukee home to Detroit, Thursday, February 7
Valparaiso home to Illinois-Chicago, Tuesday, February 5