| MATCHUP | UIC Flames | Bradley Braves |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 10-10 | 14-7 |
| Where | Carver Arena, Peoria, IL | |
| When | Saturday, January 24, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The UIC Flames and the Bradley Braves meet Saturday in college basketball action from Carver Arena in Peoria. Here’s a UIC vs Bradley prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UIC vs Bradley 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.
UIC Flames Betting Preview
UIC didn’t start out too badly this year, going 4-2 in their first six games. The Flames would lose to Robert Morris, AR-Pine Bluff, Yale, Belmont, Northern Iowa, Charlotte, Murray State and Valparaiso over the next nine outings, though. Since then it’s been wins over Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Drake and Evansville. Over 20 games so far that gives the Flames a 10-10 record.
In the Evansville matchup back on Tuesday, the Flames entered the second half with a 34-20 advantage. UIC kept it going from there, hitting a nice 42-29 run on the way to a dominant 76-49 victory at home in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Elijah Crawford with 16 points and seven assists. Rashund Washington managed to double up on 10 points and 10 boards as well.
Bradley Braves Betting Preview
Over on the Bradley side, they limped to a 3-4 record across their first seven games, then took wins over Liberty, Washington state, Northern Illinois, North Central College, Indiana State, Southern Illinois and Evansville. It’s been a 4-3 stretch in the last seven with wins over Drake, Northern Iowa, Evansville and Indiana State. Over 21 games this year that makes for a 14-7 overall run.
In the Indiana State matchup back on Wednesday the Braves went into the locker room hanging on to a two-point deficit 36-34. Bradley got it together in the second half, taking a 41-32 stretch for a comeback win at home 75-68 in the end. Jaquan Johnson led the team with 18 points and one rebound, while Alex Huibregtse had 13 points with three rebounds and three assists.
UIC Flames @ Bradley Braves Betting Trends: January 24, 2026
Why the Bradley Braves will win
- Bradley has won each of its last eight games at Carver Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UIC has lost six of its last eight road games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
- The home team has won the first half in four of UIC’s last five games.
Why the UIC Flames will win
- UIC has won each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Bradley has lost the first half in eight of its last nine night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
UIC vs Bradley Prediction
I’ll lean toward Bradley. The Braves started a little slowly in the first half of their latest home win over Indiana State, but to their credit got it going later on. Bradley shot just 34.9 percent from the field and 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from outside however did a great job at the line on 83.9 percent (26-of-31). That makes a 4-1 record over the last five games with 75 or more points scored in all four wins.
As for UIC, they made short work of a struggling Evansville team this week, hitting 50 percent from the field with a 33-29 rebounding edge and a 46-18 advantage on points in the paint. The Flames could have been better from the line at 60 percent (12-of-20) however. Still, that’s five straight wins for UIC, with 69 or more points scored in four of those.