The Valparaiso Crusaders and Illinois State Redbirds meet Saturday in college basketball action at the Redbird Arena.

The Valparaiso Crusaders look to snap a five-game losing streak. The Valparaiso Crusaders are averaging 71.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 67.5 points on 39.8 percent shooting. Donovan Clay is averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds while Ben Krikke is averaging 11.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. Nick Robinson is dishing two assists and Connor Barrett is grabbing 2.1 rebounds. The Valparaiso Crusaders are shooting 27.2 percent from beyond the arc and 74.8 percent from the free thitem line. The Valparaiso Crusaders are allowing 31.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.3 rebounds per game.

The Illinois State Redbirds need a win after losing five of their last seven games. The Illinois State Redbirds are averaging 76 points on 48.7 percent shooting and allowing 76.8 points on 45.8 percent shooting. DJ Horne is averaging 13.8 points and 3.5 rebounds while Josiah Strong is averaging 12.2 points and 2.7 rebounds. Antonio Reeves is the third double-digit scorer and Dusan Mahorcic is grabbing eight rebounds. The Illinois State Redbirds are shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and 59.7 percent from the free thitem line. The Illinois State Redbirds are allowing 31.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.2 rebounds per game.

The Crusaders are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 road games and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Redbirds are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Crusaders last 5 road games. The over is 9-4 in Redbirds last 13 overall. The under is 6-2 in Redbirds last 8 Saturday games. The over is 4-1 in Redbirds last 5 games following a ATS win.

You shouldn’t be running to the window to back either of these teams that are piling up the losses and can’t cover numbers. However, the Illinois State Redbirds are still one of the better offensive teams in the country not talked about, and in a near pick em spot, I’ll take the team that does one thing at an elite level. So, give me Illinois State in this toss up contest.