Wright State vs UIC 1/6/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UIC Flames will travel to the Nutter Center to take on the Wright State Raiders this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The UIC Flames improved to 4-7 on the season after defeating the Northern Illinois Huskies, 61-60, on December 19^th. UIC trailed for most of the game, however, the Flames were solid defensively down the stretch and was able to secure the victory after the Marcus Larsson hit a pair of game-winning FT’s with just :10 seconds left in regulation.  UIC shot 41.1% from the field & 20.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Northern Illinois to shoot 45.3% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Flames was Damaria Franklin who had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, UIC is averaging 67.7 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Flames are averaging 8.2 three-pointers per game on 28.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UIC has been led by Damaria Franklin (16.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg), Zion Griffin (11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 apg), Kevin Johnson (11.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.0 spg), & Jalen Warren (7.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.4 apg).

Defensively, UIC is allowing their opponents to an average of 69.1 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Flames have a rebound margin of -1.0 and a turnover margin of -0.2.

The Wright State Raiders won their 4^th straight game and improved to 6-7 on the season after defeating the Green Bay Phoenix, 72-69, this past Saturday. Wright State trailed Green Bay by a 68-62 margin with just 2:49 left in regulation, however, the Raiders defense was outstanding down the stretch and Wright State to secure the victory after Trey Calvin hit a game-winning three-pointer with :20 seconds left in the game. Wright State shot 50.0% from the field & 37.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Green Bay to shoot 51.0% from the field & 30.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Raiders was Lucas Stieber who had 22 points, 3 rebounds, & 2 steals.

On the season, Wright State is averaging 73.7 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Raiders are averaging 5.6 three-pointers per game on 29.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Wright State has been led by Tanner Holden (19.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg), Grant Basile (17.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 bpg), Trey Calvin (13.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg), & Tim Finke (8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Wright State is allowing their opponents to average 75.6 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Raiders have a rebound margin of -3.5 and a turnover margin of 0.2.

The Flames are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 Thursday games, however, are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games. The Raiders are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400 and just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games.

UIC has struggled on both ends of the court this season as the Flames come into this game ranked 274^th in scoring offense, 198^th in scoring defense, & 286^th in defensive FG%. Wright State has been led by their offense which ranked 143^rd in scoring offense, however, the Raiders have really struggled defensively as they come into this matchup ranked just t-307^th in scoring defense & 302^nd in defensive FG%.

UIC hasn’t played in over two weeks, and I don’t think that is going to help a team has an offense ranked just 274^th, despite having a solid matchup against a Wright State defense that has really struggled this season. Wright State has won 4 straight, including an impressive road win at NC State, and as I expect the offense to put up plenty of points at home, I’m taking the Raiders to cover this large spread. Good Luck!