The UNI Panthers (11-1) travel to Redbird Arena to square off against the Illinois State Redbirds (5-7). The Panthers will try to extend their five-game winning streak. Action begins at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
UNI Panthers vs. Illinois State Redbirds Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Redbirds were blown out by the UTSA Roadrunners, 89-70, while the Panthers defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd, 88-80.
UNI played a nearly perfect game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.519 (above their season average of 0.190) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.5 (above their season average of 31.2). Marshall put up marks of 0.234 and 25.6, respectively, for those same stats. Illinois State, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.444 vs. 0.492). Keith Fisher III put together a good performance for Illinois State with 20 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Trae Berhow had a solid performance for UNI, recording 23 points and 11 rebounds.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the most recent contest, the Panthers won 77-64. Making free throws was one of UNI’s biggest advantages. They were 15-16 (93.8 percent), while the Redbirds were 12-17 (70.6 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams battle. Illinois State currently ranks 261st in possessions per game (68.5) and UNI is 305th (67.0). Moreover, the Panthers’ sixth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 116.0) will try to exploit the Redbirds’ 253rd-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 101.7).
UNI Panthers at Illinois State Redbirds Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UNI, ATS Winner – UNI, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UNI ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (31.1) while Illinois State ranks 136th (35.1).
- The Panthers are 15th in the country with 2.2 blocks allowed per game while the Redbirds are 60th with 2.9 blocks allowed per game.
- The Panthers rank 52nd in three pointers attempted per game (26.1) while the Redbirds rank 146th in three pointers allowed per game (22.6).
- UNI ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (8.6) while Illinois State ranks 96th (12.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Panthers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 20.0, up from 14.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Redbirds have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
