Illinois State vs Northern Iowa Prediction 2/25/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Illinois State Redbirds and the Northern Iowa Panthers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. Here’s an Illinois State vs Northern Iowa prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Illinois State vs Northern Iowa 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

Illinois State got through the first 15 games this year with a nice 12-3 overall run. The Redbirds lost to Valparaiso, UIC and Indiana State in the next trio, though. Illinois State hit a 6-5 run over their next 11 games, taking losses to Belmont, Southern Illinois, Evansville, UIC and Bradley during that stretch. Over the first 29 games that gives Illinois State an 18-11 overall run.

In the Bradley game on Saturday the Redbirds were sitting in the locker room with a 43-31 deficit. Illinois State was outscored 31-29 in the second half and limped to a 74-60 loss on the road as the game finished up. Mason Klabo put up 12 points with seven rebounds in the losing effort while Landon Wolf added 12 points and three boards in 30 minutes of action on the court.

Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview

Over on the Northern Iowa side, they were looking good at 12-3 in their opening 15 games as well. The Panthers lost to Belmont, Bradley, UIC, Valparaiso, Illinois State and Southern Illinois in the next seven games, then hit a 5-2 run with wins over Evansville, Bradley, Murray State, Drake and Indiana State in that time. In 29 games that gives the Panthers an 18-11 record as well.

Matched up against Southern Illinois last weekend the Panthers were trailing by three points 33-30 going into the second half. Northern Iowa got better from there on a 27-26 run but it wasn’t enough in a 59-57 loss on their home court. Trey Campbell led the charge in the losing effort for the Panthers, posting 16 points with two rebounds and two assists alongside six turnovers.

Illinois State Redbirds @ Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Trends: February 25, 2026

Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win

• Illinois State has lost each of its last six games at McLeod Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Northern Iowa has won 24 of its last 28 night games at McLeod Center.
• The home team has won the first half in each of Illinois State’s last three games.

Illinois State vs Northern Iowa Prediction

I’ll stick with Northern Iowa. The Panthers need to bounce back after a pretty listless loss at home versus Southern Illinois though. In that one Northern Iowa hit 44.2 percent from the field with just 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from outside. The Panthers had 14 turnovers and surrendered 51 percent shooting on defense. Still, Northern Iowa is 5-2 in their last six games and generally they’re scoring pretty well.

The Panthers took a road loss 59-54 back on January 21 when these teams last met up. In that game Northern Iowa hit just 35.1 percent from the filed and 16.7 percent (3-of-18) from 3-point range alongside a 40-27 deficit on the boards. The good news is that Northern Iowa held the Redbirds to just 37.5 percent shooting on defense. I’d like to see the shooting percentage tick up significantly in the home rematch.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Northern Iowa Panthers -5.5