Northern Iowa Panthers vs
Illinois St. RedbirdsPredictions & Preview

Northern Iowa Panthers to Face Illinois State Redbirds in MVC Showdown: Panthers Look to Improve Standing Against Favored Redbirds

The Northern Iowa Panthers (9-7, 3-2 MVC) will be facing the Illinois State Redbirds (10-6, 2-3 MVC) in a matchup at CEFCU Arena on Saturday night at 7 PM ET. The Panthers will be looking to improve their standing in the MVC after a recent loss, while the Redbirds aim to bounce back from a tough defeat. Northern Iowa has a strong track record against Illinois State with a 9-1 record in their last 10 meetings. The Redbirds are currently favored to win by one point according to the opening line. To find out more about this anticipated game, check out the full prediction for the Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Illinois State Redbirds matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Panthers -102 | Redbirds -118
• Spread: Panthers +1 (-110) | Redbirds -1 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 137.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Illinois St. will win straight-up is 54%.

Northern Iowa vs Illinois St. Stats

Northern Iowa Panthers

After a two-game winning streak, the Northern Iowa Panthers suffered losses to Valparaiso and Murray State, failing to cover the spread in both games. They will look to end the streak and secure their third win in their last five games in their upcoming matchup. In their last game, the Panthers scored 68 points with Trey Campbell leading the team with 17 points. Tytan Anderson contributed 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Leon Bond III added 13 points and three rebounds. Defensively, Northern Iowa gives up an average of 67.8 points per game but allowed 71 points in their last outing. With a power ranking of 112, the Panthers are ranked 155 in offense and 104 in defense. They have a record of 8-7 this season, with a 51.52% field goal percentage and a 37.78% three-point percentage on offense. On defense, they allow 44.08% of field goals and 31.13% of three-pointers. To improve their chances of winning, the Panthers will need a stronger defensive performance in their upcoming game.

Illinois St. Redbirds Analysis

The Illinois State Redbirds had their two-game winning streak snapped by Evansville in their last game, scoring 51 points and making 34.6% of their field goals and 29% of their three-pointers. Malachi Poindexter led the team with 14 points. The Redbirds average 77.4 points per game and give up 70.7 points per game defensively. They will look to bounce back and secure their third win in four games when they play on Saturday. In terms of their power ranking and offensive and defensive stats, the Redbirds are ranked 90th for offense and 168th for defense. They have a record of 10-6 overall and are 11-4 against the spread. They excel in shooting percentages, particularly in field goals and three-pointers, but struggle in rebounding and turnovers. On defense, they allow opponents to make 43.46% of their field goals and 72.28% of free throws. They will need to maintain a strong defensive effort to secure a win.

Illinois State Favored to Dominate Matchup Against Panthers Based on Recent Performance

Illinois State is favored in this matchup due to their superior performance in recent games. The Redbirds have secured six wins out of their eight road games, while the Panthers have suffered losses in two out of three road games. Illinois State's shooting accuracy, with over 49 percent of shots made in their last three games, gives them an advantage. Additionally, their success at the free-throw line, making over 78 percent of attempts at home, puts them ahead of the Panthers who make less than 70 percent on the road. The Redbirds excel in ball movement, rebounding, and take good care of possession, limiting easy-scoring opportunities for their opponents. Conversely, the Panthers struggle defensively, allowing over 73 points per game in their recent matches. It is predicted that Illinois State will cover the spread based on these factors.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 3 ]