Missouri State vs Valparaiso College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 3/5/21

The Valparaiso Crusaders and Missouri State Bears meet Friday in the college basketball MVC Quarterfinal at the Enterprise Center.

The Valparaiso Crusaders need a win after losing five of their last eight games. The Valparaiso Crusaders are averaging 65.4 points on 42.5 percent shooting and allowing 68 points on 43.8 percent shooting. Ben Krikke is averaging 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds while Donovan Clay is averaging 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds. Nick Robinson is dishing two assists and Sheldon Edwards is grabbing 2.7 rebounds. The Valparaiso Crusaders are shooting 30.1 percent from beyond the arc and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. The Valparaiso Crusaders are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 29.7 rebounds per game.

The Missouri State Bears look for a win after winning seven of their last eight games. The Missouri State Bears are averaging 74 points on 48.3 percent shooting and allowing 66.7 points on 41.5 percent shooting. Isiaih Mosley is averaging 20.8 points and 6.8 rebounds while Gaige Prim is averaging 14.8 points and 8.9 rebounds. Ja’Monta Black is dishing 1.6 assists and Jared Ridder is grabbing 3.2 rebounds. The Missouri State Bears are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 74.1 percent from the free throw line. The Missouri State Bears are allowing 33.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34 rebounds per game.

The Basketball Team are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 Friday games. The Bears are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 33-16-2 ATS in their last 51 games overall. The under is 19-7 in Basketball Team last 26 overall. The under is 8-2 in Bears last 10 overall. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Valparaiso Crusaders are a competitive team despite their losses, so they should be worth a look with the points. However, the Missouri State Bears aren’t a team I’m stepping in front of, as they’re winning their last five games by an average of 10.4 points on 54.2 percent shooting. Missouri State is also 13-6-1 against the spread on the season. I’m laying the points with the Bears.