The Illinois-Chicago Flames will hit the floor running against the visiting Youngstown State Penguins Wednesday, looking to improve their record and boost wagering bankrolls in the process.

The Flames sport records of 9-4 and 8-4 ATS heading into this battle, while the Penguins have 8-5 and 3-5 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 3-5 for the Flames and 3-2 for the Penguins.



View Youngstown State vs Illinois-Chicago Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Illinois-Chicago in this one found them as 5.5-point favorites earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 58-ranked Flames and the No. 50-rated Penguins in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 75-71 win for the Penguins on Wednesday.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Illinois-Chicago has the nation's No. 263-rated offensive output, at 63.7 PPG. The visiting Penguins defense ranks No. 125 allowing on average 63.7 PPG. The Flames FG% has averaged 39.4% so far, less than the Penguins marksmen have achieved on the year, 42.8% per game.

Defensively, Youngstown State features the nation's No. 112-rated defense on the road, allowing 66.9 points per game. Illinois-Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 272 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Youngstown State was a 93-52 Sportsbook at home against Marygrove. The battle between the Penguins and Mustangs didn’t turn out to be much of a battle at all as Marygrove was handed a 93-52 defeat on Saturday at Beeghly Center.

Last time out for Illinois-Chicago, they were a 74-55 loser as they battled Toledo on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 2.5-point underdog. Illinois-Chicago suffered a 74-55 loss against Toledo on Saturday, getting 18 points from Daniel Barnes in a losing effort at Savage Arena.


Youngstown State Penguins Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 0-10
Before playing Loyola of Chicago are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Illinois-Chicago Flames Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Cleveland State are 2-8
After playing Toledo are 2-4
After a loss are 3-7

A few Penguins at Flames trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Youngstown State's last 9 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Youngstown State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Youngstown State is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Illinois-Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Illinois-Chicago is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Youngstown State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Illinois-Chicago's last 7 games when playing Youngstown State
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Illinois-Chicago's last 9 games when playing at home against Youngstown State


Next up:
Youngstown State at Loyola of Chicago, Saturday, January 5
Illinois-Chicago at Cleveland State, Monday, January 7