Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction 1/11/25 College Basketball Picks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northern Iowa Panthers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois State Redbirds

Recent betting trends in games played between Northern Iowa and Illinois State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Northern Iowa vs Illinois State game

Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview

Northern Iowa struggled out of the gate this year but then hit a pretty good run in early December. The Panthers’ first seven outings were a 3-4 stretch with wins over Dubuque, Milwaukee, and Western Illinois. Otherwise, the losses in that stretch were versus UC Irvine, Wichita State, North Texas, and St. Bonaventure. Northern Iowa posted a 6-1 record over the next seven games however, taking out UIC, Northern Illinois, Omaha, Montana, Southern Illinois, and Belmont in that time with a lone loss otherwise versus Washington State. Since then, however, the Panthers have fallen in consecutive games versus Valparaiso and Murray State, resulting in a 9-7 overall record so far this season.

In the Murray State matchup back on Wednesday, the Panthers hit a 33-27 deficit by halftime. Northern Iowa got better in the second with a 41-38 advantage, but couldn’t quite close the gap in an eventual loss 71-68. Leading the team in scoring was Trey Campbell with 17 points, three assists, and three steals. Tytan Anderson added 15 points with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Leon Bond posted 13 points and three rebounds in the losing effort, while Ben Schwieger put up 12 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes of work.

Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview

Over on the Illinois State side, they kicked off their 2024-25 season with a tough stretch as well, but they’ve since improved their fortunes in the record column. Illinois State lost to Tennessee-Martin, McNeese State, George Washington, and Belmont alongside wins over North Dakota State, Ohio, Trinity Christian IL, and UAB during a .500 run over their first eight outings. Illinois State posted a 6-1 run in the next seven games with a lone loss to UIC alongside wins versus Pacific, Saint Louis, Northern Illinois, Cornell, Murray State, and Southern Illinois. The Redbirds took a loss to Evansville in their most recent game, though.

Matched up against the Aces on Wednesday, the Redbirds went into the locker room holding a 34-30 deficit. Illinois State struggled from there on a 69-51 run and took the eventual loss 69-51. Leading the team in scoring was Malachi Poindexter, who was the only team player in double-figures with 14 points and two boards off the bench. Starter Chase Walker chipped in nine points with four rebounds, two assists, and a block during 20 minutes on the floor.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Illinois State has won six of its last seven games at CEFCU Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Northern Iowa has lost the first half in three of its last four games at CEFCU Arena.

Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win

• Illinois State has lost each of its last eight Saturday night games against Conference opponents.
• Northern Iowa has won six of its last seven night games against Illinois State.
• Illinois State has lost the first half in four of its last five night games against Conference opponents.

Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction

I’m going to stay with Northern Iowa here. The Panthers didn’t have a great outing versus Murray State in their last matchup though, despite shooting 51.9 percent from the field. Northern Iowa scored 24 points off 16 Racers turnovers, but they were very permissive on defense with 55.8 percent shooting allowed from the field. That said, the Panthers are still scoring quite well these days with 68 or more points in nine straight games (a 6-3 run).

As for Illinois State, they gave up 50 percent shooting from the field in their latest loss to Evansville and had 14 turnovers for 15 Aces points. The Redbirds have 72 or more points in five of the last seven games though (all five were wins) so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a high-scoring, competitive finish here.