The Indiana State Sycamores (10-6, 3-2 MVC) will be at the Athletics-Recreation Center to meet the Valparaiso Crusaders (9-9, 2-3 MVC) in a MVC matchup. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Indiana State Sycamores vs. Valparaiso Crusaders Betting Odds
In their last game, the Crusaders fell to the UNI Panthers, 88-78, while the Sycamores had no trouble getting past the Evansville Aces, 65-42.
Indiana State dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.119 (matching their season average) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.4 (above their season average of 23.0). Evansville was 0.054 and 22.0, respectively, for those same stats. Valparaiso, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (14.0 vs. 18.8). Javon Freeman-Liberty had a solid outing for Valparaiso with 28 points and eight rebounds. Cooper Neese, meanwhile played well for Indiana State, finishing with 12 points.
The Sycamores edged out the Crusaders in this series last year, taking two out of three contests. In the last contest, Valparaiso won 77-55. Valparaiso was effective at getting and making free throws. The Crusaders made 22 of their 27 free throws (81.5 percent), while the Sycamores were just 7-8 (87.5 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
It will be a battle of contrasting tempos as the fast-paced Crusaders (ranked 67th in the country in possessions per game) will look to push the slower-paced Sycamores (286th in possessions per game). Furthermore, the upper-echelon offense of the Sycamores ranks 54th in effective field goal percentage (0.535), while the Crusaders are 21st-worst in the NCAA at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.545).
Indiana State Sycamores at Valparaiso Crusaders Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Valparaiso, ATS Winner – Indiana State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Valparaiso ranks 67th in three pointers attempted per game (24.7) while Indiana State ranks 228th (18.7).
- The Crusaders rank 199th in rebounds per game (34.3) while the Sycamores rank 228th (33.4).
- The Crusaders rank 30th in assists per game (15.9) while the Sycamores rank 163rd (12.6).
- Valparaiso ranks 33rd in steals per game (8.6) while Indiana State ranks 160th (6.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Crusaders have been outscored by an average of 3.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Valparaiso has defeated opponents by an average of 1.0 point.
- During their last five games, the Sycamores have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (4.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.6 points per game (7.9 below their season average).
