| MATCHUP | Eastern Kentucky Colonels | Illinois State Redbirds |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 1-6 | 6-2 |
| Spread | +13.5 -108 | -13.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +800 | -1350 |
| Total | Over 152.5 (-112) | Under 152.5 (-108) |
| Where | CEFCU Arena, Normal, IL | |
| When | Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Illinois State Redbirds meet Wednesday in college basketball action from CEFCU Arena. Here’s an Eastern Kentucky vs Illinois State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Eastern Kentucky vs Illinois State pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels Betting Preview
The Colonels have had a pretty rough year so far—to put it mildly. Eastern Kentucky did win their opener versus Midway, but since then it’s been a futile run. After losses to Western Kentucky and Vanderbilt in the next pair, the Colonels fell versus Kent State in game four. Since then it’s been three more consecutive losses versus Mercer, Northern Kentucky and Wofford. In total that gives the Colonels a 1-6 run across their first seven games of the year.
In the Wofford game on Saturday, the Colonels came out of the break with a 37-28 deficit. Eastern Kentucky closed on a much better 49-46 run but still lost 83-77 in the end. Tops in scoring was Austin Ball with 20 points, eight boards and three assists. MJ Williams nearly tripled up on 11 points, 10 boards and nine assists, while Turner Buttry added 10 points with three assists in the losing effort for the Colonels.
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
Over on the Redbirds’ side, they started out on a sketchy run this year but they’ve since gotten much better. Illinois State opened the season at 1-2 with a win over Cornell in between losses to Ohio and USC. Since then however, it’s been a 5-0 run. The Redbirds have beaten Long Beach State, Rockford, Coastal Carolina, Charlotte and Furman in that time, giving the team a nice 6-2 run across the first eight games of the season.
Matched up against Furman last Friday, the Redbirds were in trouble at the break with a 36-33 deficit. Illinois State rallied from there however, notching a 39-29 run the rest of the way in a 72-65 win. Leading the way was Ty Pence on a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Chase Walker added 14 points and four boards, and Boden Skunberg chipped in 12 points and three rebounds in 31 minutes of work.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels @ Illinois State Redbirds Betting Trends: December 3, 2025
Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win
- Eastern Kentucky has lost each of its last six games.
- Illinois State has won each of its last six games against non-Conference opponents at CEFCU Arena.
- Eastern Kentucky has lost the first half in five of its last six games.
Eastern Kentucky vs Illinois State Prediction
I’ll stay with Illinois State. The Redbirds started out pretty slowly versus Furman in their last outing, but to their credit Illinois State pulled off the comeback win. In that one the Redbirds shot 45.6 percent from the field with a 32-25 rebounding edge and 28 points in the paint. Defensively the team gave up 45.5 percent shooting to the Paladins in the seven-point victory. Illinois State has hit 72 or more points in five straight games now—all victories.
As for Eastern Kentucky, it’s been a struggle this year. That said, the Colonels were able to hold Wofford to just 40.3 percent shooting and had a 43-38 rebounding edge in their latest loss. Trouble is, EKU shot just 37.3 percent from the field themselves. The Colonels have scored 71 or more points in four straight games but they’ve given up 82 or more points in each of those games (all losses) as well.