Cleveland State (22-12) vs Illinois State (21-14)
March 26, 2025 at 05:00 PM EDT
The Line: TBD
In this article we will formulate an Illinois State vs Cleveland State prediction for this College Basketball game on Wednesday, March 26th at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for the CBI Championship game.
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds are 21-14 (10-10) this year after they defeated Incarnate Word by a score of 78-73 in their last game. Illinois State trailed 34-31 at halftime, but they scored 47 points in the second half for the win. The Redbirds shot 43.6% from the field, 29.4% on three pointers, and 75.8% on free throws in the game. Chase Walker led Illinois State with 27 points and eight rebounds, while Ty Pence added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
Prior to that win, the Redbirds defeated Presbyterian by a score of 78-70, but did lose to Belmont by a score of 76-63 before that. Illinois State has won six of their last eight games and they finished tied for fifth in the MVC standings with a 10-10 record. Illinois State has scored 75.6 points per game and they have allowed 71.9 points against per game, while also averaging 32.2 rebounds and 14.5 assists per game this season. Chase Walker is averaging 14.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while Johnny Kinziger is averaging 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this year. Illinois State is shooting 47.8% from the field, 74.8% on free throws, and 37.5% on three pointers this season.
Cleveland State Vikings Betting Preview
The Cleveland State Vikings are 23-12 (14-6) this season after they defeated Florida Gulf Coast by a score of 72-65 in their last game. Cleveland State led 36-29 at halftime, but they started the second half poorly and needed a late run to pull away with the win. The Vikings shot 37.7% from the field, 37.5% on three pointers, and 87% on free throws in the game. Je’Shawn Stevenson led Cleveland State with 17 points, while Tahj Staveskie added 16 points and six rebounds in the win.
Prior to that game, the Vikings defeated Queens by a score of 88-73, but did lose to Youngstown State by a score of 56-54 before that. Cleveland State has won four of their last five games and they finished tied for second in the Horizon standings with a 14-6 record. Cleveland State has scored 73.3 points per game and they have allowed 66.2 points against per game, while also averaging 34.2 rebounds and 14.0 assists per game this season. Tevin Smith is averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while Tahj Staveskie is averaging 12.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this year. Cleveland State is shooting 45% from the field, 72.3% on free throws, and 33.4% on three pointers this season.
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Illinois State vs Cleveland State Prediction
These two teams have made it through the gauntlet of the CBI and will play for the Championship here. Cleveland State was able to use a late run to get by FGCU on Tuesday, but their game didn’t end until just before midnight, so they will be at a slight rest disadvantage for this game. The Vikings have relied on their tough defense all season long and they have allowed 65 points or fewer in four of their last five games. Illinois State played in the tough MVC this year, but they struggled to pull away from Incarnate Word on Tuesday and I don’t love their defense or rebounding. This should be a great game, but I like Cleveland State to win.