Bradley Braves vs UIC Flames Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Bradley vs UIC NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Chicago.

Bradley vs UIC Prediction

The Braves and Flames are set to face off at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The Flames will host the game at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago, IL. Bradley is favored by -2.5 in this Missouri Valley conference matchup the against UIC. The over/under for the game is set at 143.5 points.

Bradley vs. UIC Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Bradley Braves at UIC Flames
Where: Chicago at Credit Union 1 Arena
Date: Saturday, January 11th
Betting Odds BRADLY -2.5, BRADLY -153 | ILLCHI +127 O/U 143.5

Braves Preview: Can the Braves Offense Score Enough in Chicago?

Bradley Braves Recent Game/Games

Bradley’s season record dropped to 12-3 after a 64-57 home loss to Drake on Wednesday. The Braves entered the game as -1.5 favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 121, falling short of the 126.5 O/U line.

After a 31-31 tie at halftime, Bradley struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 26 points while allowing 33. This performance highlights their need to improve in the latter stages of games.

Braves Offense Breakdown

Bradley's offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 57 points. They shot 44.4% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 48.9%. Their two-point shooting was solid at 60% (15/25), but they hit just 25% from beyond the arc, connecting on 5 of 20 attempts.

At the free-throw line, the Braves made 12 of 15 shots, good for 80%. They recorded 7 offensive rebounds and 8 assists. Tavion Banks led the team with 19 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field. Zek Montgomery added 17 points, despite missing all 5 of his three-point attempts.

Braves Team Defense

Bradley’s defense gave up 64 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field on 20 of 45 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 15 two-point baskets on 25 attempts, a 60% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Bradley’s defense held their opponents to 5 of 20 shooting, or 25%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 15 times, where they made 12, shooting 80%. Bradley gave up 7 offensive rebounds.

Flames Preview: Will UIC Win at Home?

UIC improved to 8-5 on the season with an 80-63 road win over Missouri State on Tuesday. The Flames entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs but covered the spread with the victory.

UIC led 36-27 at halftime and scored 44 points in the second half while allowing 36. The total points for the game reached 143, surpassing the O/U line of 138.5.

Flames Offense Breakdown

UIC's offense shined in their last game, putting up 80 points while shooting 59.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 70.4%, thanks in part to their 55% shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 11 of 20 attempts.

Filip Skobalj was perfect from deep, going 5-for-5 from three and 6-for-6 overall, finishing with 17 points. Tyem Freeman and Zaxton King also contributed 17 points, with Freeman adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Flames Team Defense

UIC's defense gave up 63 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 45% from the field. They allowed 16 two-point baskets on 32 attempts, a 50% success rate.

From beyond the arc, UIC's opponents hit 6 of 16 threes, shooting 37%. UIC also sent them to the line 15 times, where they made 13 free throws, an 86% clip. The Flames limited second-chance opportunities, giving up just 3 offensive rebounds.

Braves vs Flames Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past five road matchups, Bradley has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 81 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
In their last five home games, UIC has averaged 79 points per game while allowing 71. The team's record in this stretch was 4-1 while going 5-0 vs. the spread.
Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, UIC has an ATS mark of 8-2 while going 6-4 straight up.
The last ten games that Bradley was favored, they have an ATS mark of 4-5-1 while going 9-1 straight up.