Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Illinois Huskies Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Northern Illinois vs Illinois State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Normal.

Northern Illinois vs Illinois State Prediction

The Huskies and Redbirds are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Redbirds will host the game at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL. The over/under for this game is set at 143.5 points, and Illinois State is favored by -15.5 against Northern Illinois in a non-conference matchup.

Northern Illinois vs. Illinois State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Northern Illinois Huskies at Illinois State Redbirds
Where: Normal at CEFCU Arena
Date: Wednesday, December 18th
Betting Odds ILLST -15.5, NILL +866 | ILLST -1800 O/U 143.5

Huskies Preview: Will Northern Illinois Shock Everyone at CEFCU Arena?

Northern Illinois Huskies Recent Game

The Huskies fell to 1-7 on the season after a 101-57 loss to Northern Iowa on Saturday. Entering the game as +18.5 point underdogs, Northern Illinois not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Trailing 56-28 at halftime, the Huskies scored just 29 points in the 2nd half while allowing 45. The total points for the game reached 158, surpassing the O/U line of 140.5.

Huskies Offense Breakdown

Northern Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 32.1% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc, hitting only 6 of 30 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 37.5%, and they managed only 7 offensive rebounds, finishing with 10 assists as a team.

Jacob Hutson led the way with 22 points, shooting 8 of 10 overall and 2 of 3 from three-point range. Ben Schwieger added 20 points, going 3 for 3 from deep and hitting 5 of 6 shots overall.

Huskies Team Defense

Northern Illinois struggled defensively, giving up 101 points on 62% shooting from the field. They allowed 35 made field goals on 56 attempts.

Inside the arc, the Huskies gave up 23 two-point baskets on 32 attempts, a 71% shooting percentage. From three-point range, their opponent hit 12 of 24 shots, shooting 50%. Northern Illinois also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 29 times, where they made 21 free throws, shooting 72%. The Huskies gave up 11 offensive rebounds.

Redbirds Preview: Is a Home Win Possible for Illinois State?

Illinois State improved to 5-4 on the season with an 81-77 win over Saint Louis on Sunday. The Redbirds were +2.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread with the victory.

Illinois State led 43-31 at halftime but allowed 46 points in the second half while scoring 38. The total points for the game reached 158, surpassing the over/under line of 148.5.

Redbirds Offense Breakdown

Illinois State put up 81 points in their last game, shooting 52.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 60%. They hit 47.1% of their threes, going 8-for-17, and connected on 55.3% of their two-point attempts.

Robbie Avila and Chase Walker both had standout performances, with Avila scoring 28 points and Walker adding 27, hitting 10 of 15 shots overall and going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Swope also contributed 22 points, hitting 6 of 10 threes.

Redbirds Team Defense

Illinois State's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 77 points on 52% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to hit 55% of their two-point attempts, going 21/38 inside the arc.

From three-point range, Illinois State's opponents shot 47%, connecting on 8 of 17 attempts. The Redbirds also sent the other team to the free-throw line 21 times, where they made 15, shooting 71%. Illinois State gave up 10 offensive rebounds.

Huskies vs Redbirds Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Northern Illinois has a straight up record of 0-5 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 62 points per game in these games.
When looking at their past three home matchups, Illinois State has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 76 per game. The team went 0-3 overall in these games.
Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Huskies have a straight up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
Spanning across their last three games as the betting favorite, the Redbirds have gone 1-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-2.