Northern Iowa (7-5) vs Belmont (9-4)
January 1, 2025 at 09:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Northern Iowa -6.5 / Belmont +6.5 — Over/Under: 153
The Belmont Bruins and Northern Iowa Panthers meet Wednesday in college basketball action at the McLeod Center. Here’s a Belmont vs Northern Iowa Prediction. This article will include a Belmont vs Northern Iowa Prediction Pick.
Belmont Bruins Betting Preview
The Belmont Bruins lost to UC Irvine and Drake, and they play UIC, Southern Illinois, and Indiana State next. The Belmont Bruins are averaging 81.2 points on 47.8 percent shooting and allowing 77.9 points on 36.1 percent shooting. Jonathan Pierre is averaging 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Isaiah Walker is averaging 12 points and 5.2 rebounds. Tyler Lundblade is the third double-digit scorer and Carter Whitt is grabbing 4.2 rebounds. The Belmont Bruins are shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc and 70.9 percent from the free throw line. The Belmont Bruins are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.4 rebounds per game.
Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview
The Northern Iowa Panthers lost to Washington State, beat Southern Illinois, and they play Valparaiso, Murray State, and Illinois State next. The Northern Iowa Panthers are averaging 78 points on 52.3 percent shooting and allowing 66.5 points on 43.5 percent shooting. Jacob Hutson is averaging 13.7 points and 2.2 assists, while Tytan Anderson is averaging 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. Leon Bond III is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Campbell is dishing 3.3 assists. The Northern Iowa Panthers are shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and 71.7 percent from the free throw line. The Northern Iowa Panthers are allowing 31.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.2 rebounds per game.
Belmont vs Northern Iowa Injury Report
Neither Northern Iowa nor Belmont has any players on its injury report.
Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win
- Northern Iowa has won each of its last 12 night games at McLeod Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Belmont has lost three of its last four road night games against Conference opponents.
- Belmont has lost the first half in three of its last four road night games against Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- Northern Iowa ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (62.2%).
- Northern Iowa ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (39.8%).
- Belmont ranks 36th among Division 1 teams for a three-point percentage this season (38.1%).
- Belmont ranks 38th among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.54).
Belmont vs Northern Iowa Prediction
The Belmont Bruins have the offensive firepower to give Northern Iowa a run for its money, and it makes the points worth a look. With that said, the Northern Iowa Panthers have the best offensive field goal percentage in the country, and they’ve done their best work by far at home. Also, Northern Iowa is 6-0 SU and ATS in its last six games as a favorite. Northern Iowa is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games as a favorite. Belmont has been an underdog in back-to-back games, and neither contest was competitive. I’d need more points to truly consider Belmont on the road. Northern Iowa takes care of business as a favorite. I’ll lay the points with the home team.