The Indiana State Sycamores (14-8, 7-4 MVC) will be at Redbird Arena to square off against the Illinois State Redbirds (7-16, 2-9 MVC) in a MVC matchup. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Indiana State Sycamores at Illinois State Redbirds Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Redbirds lost big to the Missouri State Bears, 80-60, while the Sycamores easily got past the Loyola Chicago Ramblers, 68-39.
Indiana State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 34.6 (above their season average of 24.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.632 (above their season average of 0.527). For those same stats, Loyola Chicago had marks of 15.2 and 0.367, respectively. Illinois State, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.244 (above their season average of 0.164). Antonio Reeves fueled Illinois State with 17 points. Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia played well for Indiana State, recording 15 points and 12 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, LaRavia led the Sycamores to a 65-52 win. He recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Indiana State’s 0.492 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Illinois State, who had a mark of 0.371.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Illinois State currently ranks 257th in possessions per game (67.8) and Indiana State is 324th (65.7). Moreover, the Sycamores rank 48th in effective field goal percentage (0.532), while the Redbirds rank 263rd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.512).
Indiana State Sycamores at Illinois State Redbirds ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Indiana State, ATS Winner – Indiana State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Illinois State ranks 130th in three pointers attempted per game (22.5) while Indiana State ranks 254th (18.4).
- The Redbirds are 40th in the NCAA with 2.7 blocks allowed per game while the Sycamores are 52nd with 2.8 blocks allowed per game.
- The Sycamores rank 40th in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while the Redbirds rank 163rd (35.5).
- Indiana State ranks 35th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Illinois State ranks 130th (6.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Redbirds have scored an average of 65.0 points per game (1.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 71.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average).
- The Sycamores’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 3.6 for the season.
