Illinois State vs Evansville Prediction 2/9/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Illinois State Redbirds and the Evansville Aces meet Monday in college basketball action from Ford Center. Here’s an Illinois State vs Evansville prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Illinois State vs Evansville 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.

Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview

This year the Redbirds opened the season on a 1-2 clip. Illinois State hit a nice 11-1 run over the next 12 games though, losing to only Utah State. After that came a rocky 3-5 stretch in the next eight outings, featuring losses to Valparaiso, UIC, Indiana State, Belmont and Southern Illinois among wins over Bradley, Northern Iowa and Murray State. In the first 23 games the Redbirds were 15-8 overall.

In their Friday matchup versus Drake, the Redbirds jumped out to a nice lead 47-32 after one half. In the second, Illinois State was outscored by five points 44-39 but still held on for the double-digit victory 86-76 at home in the end. Ty’Reek Coleman put up 19 points with eight rebounds and three assists while Chase Walker added 18 points with four rebounds and three assists.

Evansville Aces Betting Preview

Over on the Evansville side, they were within one game of the .500 mark after nine outings this year at 4-5 overall. The Aces would fall to Western Kentucky, Notre Dame, Belmont, Drake, Bradley, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Murray State, Bradley, UIC, Drake, Northern Iowa and Indiana State during a 1-13 run in the next 14 outings though, giving the team a rough 5-18 stretch over the first 23 games.

Matched up against Valparaiso on Friday, the Aces were within two points at the break. Evansville managed to tie it up on a 32-30 run in the second half and forced overtime. In the end however, the Aces fell 70-63 on the road. Leif Moller was tops on the team with 26 points and five rebounds in 43 minutes. AJ Casey added 16 points with seven boards and five assists as well.

Illinois State Redbirds @ Evansville Purple Aces Betting Trends: February 9, 2026

Why the Evansville Purple Aces will win

• The home team has won each of the last three games between Illinois State and Evansville.
• Illinois State has lost three of its last four road games.
• Illinois State has lost the first half in three of its last four road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Evansville has lost each of its last 10 night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Illinois State has won three of its last four night games.
• Illinois State has won the first half in each of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Illinois State vs Evansville Prediction

I’ll lean toward Illinois State. The Redbirds had a great first half against a middling Drake team in a home matchup last week, hitting 50 percent from the field with 44.4 percent (12-of-27) from 3-point range, a 38-26 advantage in the paint and just nine turnovers. It wasn’t perfect though, as the Redbirds struggled a bit from the line on 57.1 percent (12-of-21) there. Illinois State has won four of their last six games, scoring 70 or more points in three of the victories.

These teams last met up back on New Year’s Day in a 73-47 blowout win at home for Illinois State. In that one the Redbirds shot a solid 46.6 percent from the field with 34 rebounds, a 34-18 advantage on points in the paint and just nine turnovers. Evansville, meanwhile, shot just 31.4 percent from the field and had a whopping 23 turnovers in the defeat. Illinois State won’t be able to rely on quite as many mistakes in the road rematch Monday, but I still think the Redbirds have the inside track on a potential cover here.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Illinois State Redbirds -9.5