| MATCHUP | Northern Iowa Panthers | Valparaiso Beacons |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 12-6 | 8-10 |
| Spread | -2.5 -105 | +2.5 -115 |
| Moneyline | -135 | +114 |
| Total | Over 130.5 (-108) | Under 130.5 (-112) |
| Where | Athletics-Recreation Center, Valparaiso, IN | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 03:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Valparaiso Beacons Preview
Valparaiso Beacons have an 8-10 record this season and are tied in the 10th place of the MVC. They have a 7-3 home record and are coming off a 78-74 away loss against Belmont. Their previous three games were a 92-79 away loss against Murray State, a 77-71 home win against Illinois State and a 66-59 home win against UIC.
Offensively, Valparaiso averages 71.9 points per game, while allowing 71.5 points per game defensively. The Beacons shoot with 41% from the field and grab 37.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 11.8 assists per game. They average 4.0 blocks per game and 5.9 steals per game defensively.
Owen Dease leads Valparaiso in scoring, with an average of 14.1 points per game, while shooting with 50.9% from the field and 87.5% from the free throw line. Shon Tupuola is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.5 per game. Rakim Chaney leads the team in assists with 2.9 per game.
Northern Iowa Panthers Preview
Northern Iowa Panthers have a 12-6 record this season and are tied in the 5th place of the MVC. They have a 3-2 road record and are coming off a 69-61 home loss against UIC. Their previous three games were a 75-69 away loss against Bradley, a 78-65 home loss against Belmont and a 62-48 away win against Evansville.
Offensively, Northern Iowa averages 69.1 points per game, while allowing 60.1 points per game defensively. The Panthers shoot with 46% from the field and grab 33.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.5 assists per game. They average 3.5 blocks per game and 7.2 steals per game defensively.
Trey Campbell leads Northern Iowa in scoring, with an average of 13.6 points per game, while shooting with 41.7% from the field and 76.8% from the free throw line, and leads the team in assists with 3.8 per game. Leon Bond III is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.8 per game.
Northern Iowa Panthers @ Valparaiso Beacons Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the Valparaiso Beacons will win
- The home team has won each of Valparaiso’s last six games.
- Northern Iowa has lost each of its last three games.
- Valparaiso has won the first half in five of its last six home games.
Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win
- Valparaiso has lost 10 of its last 11 day games against Conference opponents.
- The road team has won three of Northern Iowa’s last four games.
- Valparaiso has lost the first half in four of its last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Valparaiso’s last four home games against Northern Iowa have produced a total of 136+ points.
- Four of Northern Iowa’s last five day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 129 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Valparaiso ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.1).
- Valparaiso ranks T41st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (6.4).
- Northern Iowa ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (60.1).
- Northern Iowa ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (25.5%).
Northern Iowa vs Valparaiso Prediction
In this Northern Iowa vs Valparaiso Prediction, Northern Iowa is coming as -2 road favorites. Northern Iowa has been the better team this season, with a better overall record and have been above average on the road. They have been struggling lately, having lost and failed to cover their last three games, while on the other hand, Valparaiso is 2-7 in its last 9 games, but 4-1 against the spread in its last 5. Both teams are a combined 6-0 to the over in their last 6 games and with the total set at a low 130.5, I have to go over that number.