Northern Iowa Panthers vs
Wichita St. ShockersPredictions & Preview

Wichita State Favored in Former MVC Rivals Matchup Against Northern Iowa

The upcoming basketball game between former Missouri Valley Conference rivals Northern Iowa and Wichita State is set to take place on Thursday night. Northern Iowa recently suffered their first loss of the season against UC Irvine, while Wichita State remains unbeaten. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 EST at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita. Wichita State is favored to win by 7.5 points, with the line remaining steady. See below for predictions on this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +245 | Shockers -310
• Spread: Panthers +7.5 (-110) | Shockers -7.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 151 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Wichita St. will win straight-up is 76%.

Northern Iowa vs Wichita St. Stats

Northern Iowa Panthers

The Northern Iowa Panthers started their season strong with wins in their first two games, but faced a tough loss against UC Irvine on Sunday. They struggled to keep up with their opponent's up-tempo style of play and fell behind early in the second half. While they had been shooting well in their previous games, the Panthers only shot 39.7% from the field in the loss. They were outscored in the paint and outrebounded by UC Irvine. Jacob Hutson led the team with 13 points, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.

Overall, Northern Iowa's offense has been performing well, averaging 81 points per game and shooting 50.6% from the field. They are strong from beyond the arc, averaging eight three-pointers per game. However, they have been turning the ball over 12 times per game. Defensively, the Panthers are averaging seven steals and 4.5 blocks per game. Opponents are shooting 40.7% from the field against them.

In terms of rankings, Northern Iowa is 126th in offense, scoring an average of 87 points per game, and 165th in defense, allowing 68 points per game. They have a 1-1 record so far this season. Their field goal percentage ranks 12th in the country, while their three-point percentage ranks 24th. Defensively, they are allowing 37.10% of field goals and 35.29% of three-pointers to be made by their opponents. Defensive rebounds and turnovers are areas where they have been performing well. Tytan Anderson leads the team with 14 points per game.

Wichita St. Shockers Analysis

The Wichita State Shockers had a dominant performance against Montana State, with their offense shooting 52.5% from the field and scoring 52 points in the paint. They also had a strong defensive showing, holding their opponents to 37.3% shooting. Through two games, the Shockers are averaging 90 points per game on offense and are holding teams to 76.5 points per game on defense. Justin Hill has been a standout player for the team, averaging 24 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and two steals. Overall, the Shockers have a power ranking of 126 and are ranked #98 for offense in the NCAA. Their statistics show solid performance on both ends of the court, with room for improvement in areas such as three-point shooting and turnovers.

UC Irvine Seeks to Break Deadlock Against Wichita State in Upcoming Matchup

The historical head-to-head between these two teams is deadlocked at 28 wins apiece. However, recent developments have shown that the matchup may have tilted in favor of UC Irvine due to their dominating performance over Northern Iowa last Sunday. Despite both teams having shared a conference in the past, they now find themselves in different competitive standings. Wichita State has had a mix of success and challenges since their time in the Missouri Valley Conference, with their performance peaking during a Final Four run in 2020-21. The Shockers are currently showcasing a strong offensive game and a solid defensive strategy, making them a formidable opponent. Conversely, Northern Iowa has struggled against tougher defenses and may find it challenging to score against Wichita State's defensive prowess. With a track record of 4-2 in their last six encounters, it seems the odds are in favor of Wichita State for an overall victory in this forthcoming bout.

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