Illinois State vs Indiana State Prediction 2/15/25 College Basketball Picks

The Illinois State Redbirds and the Indiana State Sycamores meet Saturday in college basketball action from Hulman Center. Here’s an Illinois State vs Indiana State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Illinois State vs Indiana State pick. We will examine: 

The Illinois State Redbirds’ recent form and player performance

The Indiana State Sycamores’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Illinois State Redbirds

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Indiana State Sycamores

Recent betting trends in games played between Illinois State and Indiana State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Illinois State vs Indiana State game

Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview

The Redbirds have been a mixed bag so far this year, with good runs among stretches of sketchy play. Illinois State opened on a 10-5 record though, beating North Dakota State, Ohio, Trinity Christian IL, UAB, Pacific, Saint Louis, Northern Illinois, Cornell, Murray State, and Southern Illinois during that time. After losses to Evansville, Northern Iowa, and Drake in the next three, the Redbirds hit a 5-1 run with a lone loss to Bradley. The wins otherwise were over Missouri State, Indiana State, Belmont, Valparaiso, and UIC at that time. Since then, however, the Redbirds have taken consecutive losses to Northern Iowa and Drake. That gives Illinois State a 15-11 overall record through the first 26 games of the year so far. 

In the Drake matchup on Wednesday, the Redbirds came out of the first half with a 40-32 deficit. Illinois State got slightly better from there on a 45-44 advantage but still took the loss at the end 84-77. Chase Walker was the team’s leading scorer in the losing effort, totaling 25 points with seven rebounds and two steals. Johnny Kinziger added 22 points with two rebounds and two steals alongside two assists. Tops off the bench was Ty Pence, who chipped in with 10 points and two assists. 

Indiana State Sycamores Betting Preview

Over on the Indiana State side, they’ve been struggling a bit since early January and haven’t been able to keep their record above the .500 mark overall. The Sycamores kicked things off on an 8-4 run, taking out Eureka, Ball State, Chicago State, Iona, Tarleton State, Missouri State, Murray State, and University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy during that time. A rough 1-8 run came next featuring losses to Ohio State, Bradley, Valparaiso, Belmont, Bradley, Drake, Illinois State, and Northern Iowa in succession (mixed with a win over Evansville). Following three more wins over Missouri State, UIC, and Valparaiso the Sycamores fell to Drake and Northern Iowa in the next pair. That gives Indiana State a 12-14 record through 26 outings. 

Matched up against Northern Iowa on Tuesday, the Sycamores came out of the gate with a 50-38 deficit. Indiana State didn’t get any closer than that during a 38-35 deficit in the second half and took the loss 88-73 in the end. Samage Teel was the leading team scorer with 21 points, two rebounds, and six assists. Aaron Gray had 10 points with five rebounds, while Jaden Daughtry came off the bench for 10 points and four steals in 20 minutes of work. 

Why the Indiana State Sycamores will win

• Illinois State has lost each of its last four day games at Hulman Center.
• Indiana State has won five of its last six day games against Illinois State.
• Illinois State has lost the first half in three of its last four day games at Hulman Center.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Indiana State has lost three of its last four day games.
• Illinois State has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Illinois State vs Indiana State Prediction 

I’ll stick with Illinois State, but you could call it either way. The last time these teams met up back on January 21, the Redbirds took an 85-81 home win. Illinois State pulled off the tight victory with a 51.7 percent mark from the field, but they did get outmuscled on the boards 36-32. It was a sloppy game overall with Illinois State accounting for 11 of the 27 total turnovers. Indiana State will likely play a cleaner game this time, so the Redbirds need to be ready for it in the road rematch. Should be a fun one to watch.