Missouri State Bears vs UIC Flames Matchup

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

UIC vs Missouri State Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Flames and Bears. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Bears at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, MO. Get ready to place your bets! This Missouri Valley conference matchup has an over/under of 138.5 points, and Missouri State is favored to win by -2.5 at home vs. UIC.

UIC vs. Missouri State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UIC Flames at Missouri State Bears
Where: Springfield at Great Southern Bank Arena
Date: Tuesday, January 7th
Betting Odds MSRST -2.5, ILLCHI +123 | MSRST -149 O/U 138.5

Flames Preview: Do the Flames Have a Shot at a Road Win?

UIC dropped to 7-5 on the season after a 92-87 road loss to Belmont on Saturday. The Flames were +6 underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 179 exceeded the O/U line of 159.5.

Trailing 46-43 at halftime, UIC scored 44 points in the 2nd half but allowed 46, resulting in the loss.

Flames Offense Breakdown

UIC's offense put up 87 points in their latest game, shooting 46.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 56.2%, thanks in part to hitting 62.1% of their two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, the Flames connected on 12 of 35 threes, shooting 34.3%.

Jonathan Pierre led the way with 22 points and 8 rebounds, while Carter Whitt added 20 points and 8 boards, hitting 4 of 7 from deep. Isaiah Walker and Ahmad Henderson II each contributed 18 points, with Henderson knocking down 4 threes at a 50% clip.

Flames Team Defense

UIC's defense struggled, giving up 92 points on 47% shooting. They allowed 32 field goals on 67 attempts.

From three-point range, UIC's opponents hit 12 of 29 shots, and they also went 16/18 from the free-throw line.

Bears Preview: Can the Bears Live Up to the Hype at Home?

Missouri State's season record dropped to 5-8 after a 69-60 road loss to Bradley on Saturday. The Bears were +11.5 underdogs but managed to cover the spread.

Missouri State trailed 30-28 at halftime and allowed 39 points in the 2nd half while scoring 32. The game’s total points of 129 fell short of the 134.5 O/U line.

Bears Offense Breakdown

Missouri State struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 38.1% from the field and 22.6% from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 31 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.4%, and they also had a tough time at the free-throw line, making only 5 of 13 attempts for 38.5%.

Vincent Brady II led the Bears with 29 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 57.1% overall, though he was just 3 of 10 from three-point range. Christian Davis was perfect from the field, going 6 for 6, including 2 for 2 from deep, finishing with 19 points and 4 rebounds.

Bears Team Defense

Missouri State's defense gave up 69 points in their last game, with the opponent shooting 48% from the field. They allowed 22 made field goals on 45 attempts.

From two-point range, the opponent shot 60%, hitting 15 of 25 shots. They also made 7 of 20 three-pointers, shooting 35%. At the free-throw line, the opponent went 18/20, shooting 90%. Missouri State gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Flames vs Bears Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their last five road contests, UIC has been good against the spread posting a mark of 4-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2, while averaging 74 points per game.
In their last ten games at home, the Bears have a straight up record of 3-7 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 65 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Flames have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 8-2.
The last ten games that Missouri State was favored, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 6-4 straight up.