| MATCHUP | ||
|---|---|---|
| When | Thursday, November 27, 2025 | |
| Time | 01:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN2 | |
01:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Illinois State -5.5 Over/Under: 139.5
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds enter Thursday’s contest with a 4–2 win‑loss record. Illinois State has amassed wins over Cornell, Long Beach State, Rockford, and Coastal Carolina, while losing games to the Ohio Bobcats and USC Trojans. In the Illinois State Redbirds dominant 94–42 victory over Coastal Carolina three days ago, guard Ty Pence tallied 16 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.In six games played in the 2025 season, the Illinois State Redbirds are averaging 77.4 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from three-point range. Defensively, the Illinois State Redbirds are allowing opponents 69.2 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 23.9 percent shooting from behind the arc which ranks sixth in the country. Illinois State’s elite perimeter defense has been pivotal to the Redbirds success on the basketball court this season.
Freshman guard Ty’Reek Coleman leads the team in the scoring department averaging 14.5 points per game, while junior guard Johnny Kinziger is averaging 13.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals a contest. Junior forward Chase Walker contributes 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Senior guard Boden Skunberg provides perimeter shooting averaging 7.7 points a game. Skunberg went 3 of 6 from three-point range in the team’s opening day loss to the Ohio Bobcats.
Charlotte 49ers Betting Preview
The Charlotte 49ers arrive at Thursday’s game with a 3–3 win‑loss record. Charlotte has compiled wins over Indiana State, Tennessee Tech, and Shaw, while losing games to Davidson, Virginia Tech, and Appalachian State. In the Charlotte 49ers most recent outing three days ago, 49ers guard Anton Bonke accumulated 18 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks in an 83–79 victory over the Shaw Bears.The Charlotte 49ers are averaging 71.2 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.9 percent shooting from three‑point range. On the defensive side of the basketball, the Charlotte 49ers are allowing 70.4 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field.
The 49ers roster is balanced. Senior Dezayne Mingo has provided stability at the point guard position averaging 11.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4 assists a game. Sophomore guard Ben Bradford leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game, Anton Bonke anchors the paint with his size (7’2) and efficiency.
Why the Illinois State Redbirds Will Win
• Freshman guard Ty’Reek Coleman’ has provided the Illinois Redbirds with consistent scoring in 2025, averaging 14.5 points per game.• Elite perimeter defense: Illinois State opponents are shooting just 23.9% from three-point range which ranks 6th nation.
• Three straight wins, including dominant victories over Rockford and Coastal Carolina.
Why the Charlotte 49ers Will Win
• Defensive consistency. Allowing just 70.4 points per game.• Junior center Anton Bonke is averaging 13.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest.
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Charlotte 49ers Prediction
The Illinois Redbirds enter tomorrow’s matchup with the 49ers on a three‑game win streak. The Redbirds have established one of the nation’s most suffocating perimeter defenses as the team ranks sixth in the country in opponents three-point percentage (23.9).The Charlotte 49ers counter with size and balance. Center Anton Bonke is a legitimate interior force at 7’2”, averaging close to a double‑double with elite efficiency, and his presence gives the 49ers a path to control the paint.
In my view, this matchup projects as a grind. Illinois State’s perimeter lockdown should limit Charlotte’s spacing, forcing the 49ers to funnel everything through Bonke. If he dominates the glass and stays out of foul trouble, Charlotte can hang around. Still, Illinois State’s defensive profile and balanced scoring core led by Ty’Reek Coleman and Chase Walker give them the slight edge. I am backing the Illinois State Redbirds to cover the 5.5 points in this game.