Illinois State Redbirds vs Saint Louis Billikens Matchup

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

Saint Louis vs Illinois State Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Billikens versus the Redbirds? Tip off is at at 5:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on MARQ. The game will be played at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL. Saint Louis is the -1.5 point favorites in this non-conference matchup against Illinois State. The over/under for the game is set at 150.5 points.

Saint Louis vs. Illinois State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Saint Louis Billikens at Illinois State Redbirds
Where: Normal at CEFCU Arena
Date: Sunday, December 15th
Betting Odds STLOU -1.5, STLOU -129 | ILLST +107 O/U 150.5

Billikens Preview: Can the Billikens Pull Off a Road Win?

Saint Louis Billikens Recent Game/Games

Saint Louis improved to 5-3 on the season with an 85-62 win over Chicago State on Sunday. Playing at home, the Billikens were -25 point favorites but didn’t cover the spread.

After leading 41-33 at halftime, Saint Louis clamped down defensively, allowing just 29 points in the 2nd half while scoring 44. The game’s total points of 147 fell short of the 154.5 O/U line.

Billikens Offense Breakdown

Saint Louis put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 48.3% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.3%. They connected on 41.4% of their threes, going 12-for-29 from deep, and hit 75% of their free throws.

The Billikens dished out 19 assists and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds. Robbie Avila led the way with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Gibson Jimerson and Noble Crawford each added 18 points, with Crawford hitting 3 of 4 threes.

Billikens Team Defense

Saint Louis gave up 62 points in their last game, allowing their opponent to shoot 48% from the field on 29 of 60 attempts. Inside the arc, the Billikens’ defense allowed 17 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 54% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Saint Louis’ opponent hit 12 of 29 shots, shooting 41%. The Billikens also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 15 attempts, a 75% success rate. Saint Louis allowed 14 offensive rebounds in the game.

Redbirds Preview: Do the Redbirds Have What it Takes to Win as Home Underdogs?

Illinois State evened their season record at 4-4 with a 72-61 win over Pacific on Saturday. The Redbirds were -7.5 point favorites at home and covered the spread. The game’s total points of 133 fell short of the 141 O/U line.

Illinois State led 33-29 at halftime and outscored Pacific 39-32 in the 2nd half to secure the win.

Redbirds Offense Breakdown

Illinois State's offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 43.4% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes on 26 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 52.8%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, connecting on 84.2% of their 19 attempts.

Chase Walker led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes, shooting 53.8% from the field. Jack Daugherty was a standout from three, hitting 5 of 7 attempts and finishing with 15 points, while Jazz Gardner also contributed 15 points, shooting 66.7% overall.

Redbirds Team Defense

Illinois State's defense held their opponent to 61 points, with a field goal percentage of 43% (23/53). They allowed 13 two-point field goals on 27 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Illinois State gave up 10 threes on 26 attempts, a 38% success rate. Their opponent also went 16/19 from the free-throw line, shooting 84%. The Redbirds allowed 7 offensive rebounds.

Billikens vs Redbirds Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Through their last three road contests, the Billikens offense has averaged 67 points per game while allowing an average of 83. Saint Louis posted an overall record of 0-3 while going 0-3 ATS.
In their last three home games, Illinois State has averaged 76 points per game while allowing 82. The team's record in this stretch was 0-3 while going 2-1.
Looking back on the team's last five games as the underdog, the Redbirds have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-1.
In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Billikens have a straight up record of 5-0, while going 1-4 against the spread.