Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction 3/6/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Northern Iowa Panthers and Illinois State Redbirds meet Friday in the college basketball MVC Tournament at the Enterprise Center. Here’s a Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State prediction. This article will include a Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State pick.

Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview

The Northern Iowa Panthers beat Drake and Evansville. Northern Iowa has won 7 of its last 10 games.

The Northern Iowa Panthers are averaging 69.3 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 61.2 points on 40.8 percent shooting. Leon Bond III is averaging 11.5 points and 3.9 assists, while Trey Campbell is averaging 13.5 points and 5 rebounds. Will Hornseth is the third double-digit scorer and Ben Schwieger is dishing 1.7 assists. The Northern Iowa Panthers are shooting 34.9 percent from beyond the arc and 69.8 percent from the free throw line. The Northern Iowa Panthers are allowing 28.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.4 rebounds per game.

Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview

The Illinois State Redbirds beat Northern Iowa and Belmont. Illinois State has won 8 of its last 13 games.

The Illinois State Redbirds are averaging 78.4 points on 47 percent shooting and allowing 70.6 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Chase Walker is averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Johnny Kinziger is averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. Ty’Reek Coleman is the third double-digit scorer, and Boden Skunberg is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Illinois State Redbirds are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 70.3 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois State Redbirds are allowing 32.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Illinois State has won three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Northern Iowa has lost the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents at Enterprise Center.

Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win

• Northern Iowa has won each of its last four conference tournament games against Illinois State.
• Illinois State has lost four of its last five games against conference opponents at Enterprise Center.
• Northern Iowa has won the first half in each of its last three Conference Tournament games against Illinois State.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Illinois State’s last eight games against conference opponents has produced a total of 134+ points.
• Each of Northern Iowa’s last seven games against the Missouri Valley Conference at neutral venues has produced a total of 127+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois State ranks 41st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (19.9).
• Illinois State ranks 47th among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (68.3).
• Northern Iowa ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (14.1).
• Northern Iowa ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (28.5%).

Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction

Northern Iowa is playing its best ball of the season, but we’re getting a bucket with the rested side in Illinois State. It’s not easy to beat the same team three times in a season, but we’re also getting a bucket with Illinois State, who has beaten Northern Iowa twice. Illinois State went into UNI a couple of weeks ago and won as a 4.5-point underdog. The underdog has covered the last 5 games between Illinois State and Northern Iowa. Give me the free bucket.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Illinois State +1.5