Yale vs UIC Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/8/24

The Yale Bulldogs are visiting the Illinois-Chicago Flames on Friday, November 8th at the Credit Union 1 Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Yale Bulldogs vs. Illinois-Chicago Flames Prediction.

Illinois-Chicago Flames Preview

The Illinois-Chicago Flames are coming off a disappointing 12-21 season, finishing 11th in the Missouri Valley with a 4-16 conference record. The Flames were below average at home with a 6-9 record and were terrible on the road with 3-10. Illinois-Chicago was 15-15 against the spread and 12-18 in over/under.

Offensively, Illinois-Chicago averaged 70.3 points per game, which ranked 275th nationally. Defensively, they were in the middle of the pack, allowing 71.5 points per game (163rd). The Flames had a below-average field goal percentage, with 43.8% (240th) but were elite from beyond the arc, with 36.3% (48th). The Flames struggled from the charity stripe, with a 68.8% free throw percentage (301st).

The Flames’ offense was led by senior guard Isiah Rivera with 15.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. Sophomore guard Christian Jones added 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a team-high 4.8 assists.

Yale Bulldogs Preview

The Yale Bulldogs are coming off a strong 23-10 season, finishing third in the Ivy with an 11-3 conference record. Bulldogs had a dominating 9-2 home record and were also efficient on the road with a 9-6 record. Yale was 15-11-1 ATS and 16-11 in over/under.

In their season opener on Monday, the Bulldogs won Quinnipiac at home, 88-62. Yale managed to cover the -8-point spread and the game went over the 143-point total. The Bulldogs’ 88 points were 120th in the nation, while their 62 points allowed were 118th. Yale shot with a decent 46.2% from the field but they held Quinnipiac into just 31.7%. The Bulldogs dominated the glass, as they grabbed 23 rebounds more than Quinnipiac (50-27).

Senior guard John Poulakidas led Yale’s offense with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while freshman forward Isaac Celiscar added 18 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Yale will take on Purdue after this game.

Why the UIC Flames will win

• UIC has won nine of its last 11 night games against non-conference opponents at Credit Union 1 Arena.
• UIC has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Yale Bulldogs will win

• Yale has won each of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Yale has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Yale Bulldogs vs Illinois-Chicago Flames Prediction

In their only previous meeting back in 2014, Yale won at home with a 70-58 score. In this Yale Bulldogs vs. Illinois-Chicago Flames Prediction, Yale is coming as a -6.5-point home favorite. Yale is projected as #102 in the nation this season, while Illinois-Chicago is projected at #163. Yale is coming off a convincing 26-point home victory and is now visiting an Illinois-Chicago squad that could not take advantage of their home court last season. I expect another big Yale win today, so I’m laying the points with them on the road.