Indiana St. Sycamores vs
Valparaiso CrusadersPredictions & Preview

Valparaiso Beacons Favored to Break Indiana State Sycamores' Winning Streak in MVC Showdown

The Valparaiso Beacons (9-6, 2-2 MVC) are preparing to face off against the Indiana State Sycamores (9-6, 3-1 MVC) in a crucial Missouri Valley Conference matchup on January 8, 2025, at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Despite Indiana State's recent dominance in this in-state rivalry, with four consecutive wins by an average margin of 24.8 points, Valparaiso enters the game as a slim 1.5-point favorite. The Beacons, currently on a two-game winning streak, are looking to break Indiana State's winning streak in the series, with both teams boasting identical 9-6 overall records. This matchup promises to be an exciting battle between evenly matched teams.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Sycamores +100 | Crusaders -122
• Spread: Sycamores +1.5 (-110) | Crusaders -1.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 163.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Valparaiso will win straight-up is 55%.

Indiana St. vs Valparaiso Stats

Indiana St. Sycamores

The Indiana State Sycamores, led by first-year head coach Matthew Graves, have exceeded expectations this season with a 3-1 conference record. Sophomore guard Samage Teel has been a standout performer, ranking second in the Valley in scoring. The Sycamores have shown strength offensively but struggle defensively, ranking 266th in KenPom's defensive ratings. Despite this, they have had recent success against Valparaiso and will look to continue their strong start in conference play. Their upcoming game promises to be a close battle, potentially breaking their streak of blowout victories in the series. With a power ranking of 224, Indiana State ranks 27th in offense but struggles defensively, allowing an average of 77.71 points per game. Their shooting percentages and rebounding numbers rank favorably in the NCAAB, but their turnover numbers could be improved. Overall, the Sycamores have the potential for success this season and are worth keeping an eye on.

Valparaiso Crusaders Analysis

The Valparaiso Beacons have made significant improvements this season, already surpassing their win total from the previous year with more games left to play. Led by head coach Roger Powell Jr., the team is off to a strong start in conference play, boasting a .500 record through four MVC games. Offensively, they are led by Cooper Schwieger with an average of 14.1 points per game and rank 136th nationally in offense. Their free-throw shooting has been a notable strength, leading the conference with an impressive 80.1% from the charity stripe. Defensively, the team has struggled, ranking 268th nationally in defensive ratings but has shown promise in close games, going 3-0 in contests decided by five points or fewer. The Beacons will need to leverage their home-court advantage and recent momentum to overcome defensive challenges against Indiana State.

Valparaiso Poised to Upset Indiana State in upcoming Matchup

Indiana State has been dominant in recent matchups against Valparaiso, but I anticipate a shift in momentum. Valparaiso boasts a strong home record of 5-2 and ranks 202nd in home game performance, compared to Indiana State's 204th rank in away games. Given the similar skill levels of both teams, I believe that attention to detail will be crucial. Valparaiso excels in three-point shooting and free throws, with an impressive 80.1% success rate from the charity stripe. Additionally, they exhibit strong ball security, ranking 44th nationally with just 10.1 turnovers per game. In contrast, Indiana State struggles with turnovers, committing 15.3 per game and ranking last in their conference in turnover margin. Taking these factors into account, I predict that Valparaiso will capitalize on their strengths to secure a victory in this matchup.

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