Valparaiso vs Northern Iowa Prediction 12/29/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

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

Valparaiso Beacons Betting Preview

The Beacons started out the season well with a 4-1 run featuring victories over Eastern Illinios, Nicholls, Bryant and Cleveland State. Valparaiso has since gone 2-5 with wins over Western Michigan and Calumet among losses to Southern Indiana, Marquette, UNC Wilmington, Northwestern and Murray State. That gives the Beacons a 6-6 overall record this year.

In the December 21 matchup versus Murray State, the Beacons were up by three points at the break. Valparaiso was outscored 49-40 the rest of the way and lost the game 85-79, though. Leading the team in scoring was Owen Dease with 25 points, four rebounds and two assists. Rakim Chaney had 13 points with six assists and five rebounds while Shon Tupuola had 11 points with five boards.

Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Preview

Over on the Northern Iowa side, they beat CSU Northridge, South Dakota State, Furman, Northern Illinois, UC Irvine and Loyola Chicago in their first six games. It’s been a 3-3 run since then with wins over Coe, Oakland and UIC among losses to Tulsa, Wichita State and Saint Mary’s. That gives the Panthers a 9-3 overall record this year so far.

In the Saint Mary’s game on December 22, the Panthers entered the locker room with a one-point deficit. Northern Iowa couldn’t get any closer than that in the end during a 63-58 loss. Trey Campbell was tops on 18 points with five assists and five rebounds while Leon Bond had 10 points with five boards and five assists. Tristan Smith added 10 points with four rebounds as well.

Valparaiso Beacons @ Northern Iowa Panthers Betting Trends: December 29, 2025

Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win

• Valparaiso has lost 14 of its last 15 road games following a home loss.
• Northern Iowa has won 21 of its last 23 night games at McLeod Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Valparaiso has lost the first half in each of its last four games at McLeod Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Valparaiso Beacons will win

• Valparaiso has won four of its last five night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Northern Iowa has lost the first half in five of its last six games against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Valparaiso vs Northern Iowa Prediction

I’ll stay with Northern Iowa. The Panthers need a good bounce-back after falling to a solid Saint Mary’s team in their last outing, though. Northern Iowa hit 43.6 percent from the field in that one but also had a 39-22 rebounding deficit and only made it to the line four times (making three) as opposed to the Gaels’ 25-of-27 (92.6 percent) on free throws. Northern Iowa has been below 61 points in consecutive games now, so I’d like to see them put up a decent total in this one.

As for Valparaiso, they gave up 49.1 percent from the field in their latest loss to Murray State but did shoot a solid 47.7 percent from the field themselves. The Beacons have scored 70 or more points during each installment of this current three-game losing streak, but they’ve also given up 73 or more points in each outing as well—including a combined 171 across the last pair.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Northern Iowa Panthers -11.5