Northern Iowa Panthers vs Valparaiso Beacons Matchup

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

Northern Iowa vs Valparaiso Prediction

Looking to win big? The Panthers and Beacons face off at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The Beacons are hosting the game at Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, IN. Northern Iowa come into this Missouri Valley conference matchup as the -4.5 favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 147.5 points.

Northern Iowa vs. Valparaiso Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Northern Iowa Panthers at Valparaiso Beacons
Where: Valparaiso at Athletics-Recreation Center
Date: Saturday, January 4th
Betting Odds NIOWA -4.5, NIOWA -201 | VALP +165 O/U 147.5

Panthers Preview: Can the Panthers Grab a Win in Valparaiso?

Northern Iowa Panthers Recent Game/Games

Northern Iowa improved to 8-5 on the season with a 76-70 win over Belmont on Wednesday. The Panthers, playing at home, were -5.5 point favorites going into the game and managed to cover the spread.

Northern Iowa led 39-34 at halftime and outscored Belmont 37-36 in the second half. The total points for the game were 146, falling short of the 153.5 O/U line.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Northern Iowa put up 76 points in their last game, shooting 45.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.9%, largely due to their struggles from beyond the arc, where they hit just 3 of 18 attempts (16.7%). Inside the arc, they were much more efficient, connecting on 56.5% of their two-point shots.

The Panthers also shot 65.2% from the free-throw line, making 15 of 23 attempts. They recorded 9 offensive rebounds and 7 assists as a team. Jonathan Pierre led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Carter Whitt added 17 points and 8 assists.

Panthers Team Defense

Offensively, Northern Iowa put up 70 points in their last game, shooting 45% from the field on 29 of 64 attempts. They were effective inside the arc, hitting 56% of their two-point shots, going 26 for 46.

From beyond the arc, the Panthers struggled, making just 3 of 18 three-point attempts for 16%. At the free-throw line, they shot 65%, converting 15 of 23 opportunities. They also gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Beacons Preview: Will Valparaiso Pull Through as the Underdog Home Team?

Valparaiso Beacons Recent Game/Games

Valparaiso evened their record at 6-6 after a narrow 73-72 win over Missouri State on Wednesday. The Beacons were +5.5 point underdogs heading into the game, but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.

Valparaiso led 35-34 at halftime and both teams scored 38 points in the 2nd half. The game’s total points hit 145, going over the pre-game O/U line of 139.5.

Beacons Offense Breakdown

Valparaiso put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 52.8% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.5%. They hit 62.9% of their two-point attempts and 33.3% from beyond the arc, making 6 threes on 18 attempts. At the free-throw line, they connected on 73.3%, going 11 for 15.

Cooper Schwieger led the Beacons with 22 points, while Vincent Brady II added 19, shooting 88.9% from the floor. Michael Osei-Bonsu contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds, also dishing out 6 assists. Valparaiso finished with 9 offensive rebounds and 9 assists as a team.

Beacons Team Defense

Valparaiso's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 72 points on 58% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 65% of their two-point attempts, going 21/32.

From beyond the arc, Valparaiso's opponent shot 44%, making 8 of 18 threes. The Beacons did catch a break at the free-throw line, where their opponent shot just 37%, hitting 6 of 16 attempts. Valparaiso also gave up 10 offensive rebounds.

Panthers vs Beacons Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last ten games away from home, the Panthers have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 74 points per game in this stretch.
Through their last ten home games, Valparaiso has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 68 points per game.
Looking back on the team's last five games as the underdog, the Beacons have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-1.
Northern Iowa has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.