Belmont vs Northern Iowa Prediction 1/7/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Northern Iowa Panthers and the Belmont Bruins will meet on Wednesday night in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview

The Northern Iowa Panthers enter Wednesday’s matchup with an 12–3 overall record, a 4–0 mark in conference play and an 8-1 record at home. The Panthers have been one of the most consistent teams in the Missouri Valley Conference, winning five of the Panthers last six games played in 2025, including victories over Valparaiso, Oakland and the Indiana State Sycamores. The Northern Iowa Panthers have lost games to Tulsa, St. Mary’s and the Wichita State Shockers.

The Northern Iowa Panthers average 67.9 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from three-point range per game. Defensively, the Panthers are allowing just 58.9 points per contest which ranks first in the country.

Guard Trey Campbell leads the Northern Iowa Panthers averaging 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while forward Leon Bond III contributes 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. Senior forward Tristan Smith provides further frontcourt stability averaging 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 block per game.  

Belmont Bruins Betting Preview

The Belmont Bruins enter Wednesday evening’s contest with a 13–3 win‑loss record, including a 3–2 mark in conference play and a 5-1 road record. The Bruins have compiled wins over Bradley, UC Irvine, Evansville and the Richmond Spiders while dropping games to Indiana State, SIU and the Air Force Falcons. In the Belmont Bruins most recent outing, a 68–67 loss to Southern Illinois, Belmont guard Jabez Jenkins tallied 17 points (6 of 7 shooting from the field), 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist illustrating his ability to play at a high level.

Belmont is averaging 83.3 points per game on 52.1 percent shooting from the field (6th in country) and 41.1 percent shooting from behind the arc a game. On the defensive side of the basketball, the Bruins are allowing opponents 71 points per contest.

Guard Tate Lundblade leads the Belmont Bruins averaging 16.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assist on 46 percent shooting percentage from the field per game. Sophomore forward Sam Orme averages 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. while senior guard Nic McClain provides additional scoring depth at the guard position averaging 10.4 points per game.

Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win

•             Home edge. The Northern Iowa Panthers are 8-1 at home in 2025.

•             Quality guard play. Guard Trey Campbell leads the Northern Iowa Panthers backcourt averaging 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game

•             Balanced attack. Trey Campbell and Leon Bond III combine for over 25 points per game.

•             Momentum. The Northern Iowa Panthers have won five of the team’s last six games played this season.

Why the Belmont Bruins will win

• Quality frontcourt play. Sophomore forward Sam Orme averages 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest.

• Efficient scoring. The Belmont Bruins are averaging shooting 52.1 percent from the field per game which ranks sixth in the nation.

• Ability to win on the road. The Bruins are 5-1 on the road this season.

Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Belmont Bruins Prediction

This matchup features the Northern Iowa Panthers elite defense and home court edge versus a Belmont team that relies heavily on perimeter volume and pace. Belmont has the shooting to keep this competitive, but Northern Iowa’s ability to control tempo, defend without fouling, and force long possessions gives them the more reliable path over 40 minutes. With the Panthers’ elite defensive profile and strong home record, Northern Iowa holds the matchup advantage. With that said, I am backing Northern Iowa to cover the 2.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Northern Iowa -2.5