Illinois State Redbirds vs Northern Iowa Panthers Matchup

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

Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction

Betting on today's Panthers and Redbirds game? Catch the action at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL, as the Redbirds hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 137.5 points, and Illinois State is favored by -1 to win at home against Northern Iowa.

Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Northern Iowa Panthers at Illinois State Redbirds
Where: Normal at CEFCU Arena
Date: Saturday, January 11th
Betting Odds ILLST -1, NIOWA -102 | ILLST -118 O/U 137.5

Panthers Preview: Will the Panthers Defense Show Up on the Road?

Northern Iowa Panthers Recent Game/Games

The Panthers fell to 8-7 on the season after a 71-68 home loss to Murray State on Wednesday. Northern Iowa, who were -5.5 favorites, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 33-27 at halftime, the Panthers put up 41 points in the 2nd half but allowed 38. The total points for the game ended at 139, just over the 137.5 O/U line.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Northern Iowa's offense put up 68 points in their last game, shooting 51.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 55.8%. They connected on 59% of their two-point attempts, while hitting just 30.8% from beyond the arc, going 4-for-13 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they were efficient, making 10 of 12 attempts for an 83.3% success rate.

Trey Campbell led the way with 17 points, shooting 53.8% overall and 40% from three. Tytan Anderson added 15 points and 4 assists, while Terence Harcum contributed 14 points, hitting 50% from deep. Leon Bond III and Alden Applewhite both shot 100% from the field, with Applewhite going 3-for-3 from three-point range.

Panthers Team Defense

Despite Northern Iowa's defensive struggles, allowing 71 points on 51% shooting, they managed to limit damage from beyond the arc, holding the opposing team to 4/13 from three-point range. However, they couldn't contain the two-point attack, as the other team shot 59% inside the arc.

At the free-throw line, Northern Iowa sent their opponents to the stripe 12 times, where they converted 10 attempts for 83%. The Panthers did a decent job on the boards, giving up just 6 offensive rebounds.

Redbirds Preview: Can Illinois State Live Up to the Hype at Home?

Illinois State dropped to 9-6 on the season after a 69-51 road loss to Evansville on Wednesday. The Redbirds entered the game as 5.5-point favorites but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 120, falling short of the 131.5 O/U line.

Trailing 34-30 at halftime, Illinois State struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 21 points while allowing 35.

Redbirds Offense Breakdown

Illinois State struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 51 points on 34.6% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.3%, and they hit only 29% of their three-point attempts, going 9-for-31 from deep.

At the free-throw line, the Redbirds shot 50%, making 6 of 12 attempts. Tayshawn Comer led the team with 19 points and 5 assists, while Cam Haffner, Tanner Cuff, and Malachi Poindexter each added 14 points, with Cuff and Poindexter shooting 66.7% from the field.

Redbirds Team Defense

Illinois State's defense gave up 69 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 50% from the field. They allowed 26 made field goals on 52 attempts.

Inside the arc, Illinois State allowed 18 two-point baskets on 28 attempts, a 64% shooting rate. From three-point range, opponents hit 8 of 24 attempts, shooting 33%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 10 times, where they made 9 free throws, shooting 90%. Illinois State gave up 4 offensive rebounds.

Panthers vs Redbirds Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past five road matchups, Northern Iowa has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 76 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
Across their last five home contests, Illinois State has a 3-2 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 2-3, while averaging 73 points per game.
Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Panthers have a straight up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 0-3.
In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Redbirds have a straight up record of 5-5 and an ATS mark of 4-6.