Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs UIC 3/1/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UIC Flames will travel to UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to take on the Milwaukee Panthers this Tuesday night in the 1^st round of the KEEPS Horizon League Championship.

The UIC Flames finished their regular season with an overall record of 13-15 and earned the 8-seed in the KEEPS Horizon League Championship after finishing conference play with a 9-10 record. UIC has been led by their offense this season which ranks 159^th in scoring offense & 44^th in three-pointers made per game, however, the Flames defense has struggle as it comes into this matchup ranked just 266^th in scoring defense & 316^th in defensive FG%. UIC went 2-4 in their non-conference schedule with their only victory against a D-I team came against Valparaiso in a 74-70 OT victory. UIC struggled at the start of conference play, losing 7 of their first 10 games, however, the Flames played well down the stretch and come into the conference tournament winning 4 of their last 5 games.

On the season, UIC is averaging 71.7 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Flames are averaging 8.9 three-pointers per game on 32.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UIC has been led by Damaria Franklin (18.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.3 spg), Kevin Johnson (13.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.2 spg), Zion Griffin (11.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Jalen Warren (8.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.5 apg).

Defensively, UIC is allowing their opponents to average 72.9 ppg on 46.2% shooting from the field. The Flames have a rebound margin of -1.9 and a turnover margin of 0.4.

The Milwaukee Panthers finished their regulation season with an overall record of 10-21 and earned the 9-seed in the KEEPS Horizon League Championship after finishing conference play with an 8-14 record. Milwaukee was led by their defense that despite ranking 214^th in scoring defense, ranked an impressive 25^th in defensive FG%, however, the Panthers really struggled on the offense end and come into this game ranked just 315^th in scoring offense & 270^th in FG%. Milwaukee finished their non-conference schedule to start their season with just a 1-5 record with their only win coming against North Dakota. Milwaukee struggled throughout the season in conference play, however, the Panthers did split their last 6 games which included a 60-57 win at home vs. Wright State.

On the season, Milwaukee is averaging 64.6 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 31.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Milwaukee has been led by DeAndre Gholston (14.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, Patrick Baldwin Jr. (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.5 apg), Josh Thomas (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Donovan Newby (8.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg). Patrick Baldwin Jr. has missed a ton of action this season due to calf & ankle injuries and is doubtful for this matchup.

Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing their opponents to average 70.5 ppg on 39.9% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -1.3 and a turnover margin of -3.1.

The Flames are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games, however, are just 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. Milwaukee. The Panthers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games & 2-4 ATS in their last 6 home games.

UIC was able to defeat Milwaukee in both of the regular season games this season as UIC defeated Milwaukee by a 81-77 margin on the road in mid-January and defeated the Panthers by a 71-58 margin at home in both teams regular season finale last Saturday.

Milwaukee came into this season with high expectations with the addition of 5-star recruit, Patrick Baldwin Jr, however, the season overall has been a disappointment as Baldwin jr. has been hurt for most of the season and the offense has really struggled. UIC has been playing some solid basketball to end the season and as the Flames have been decent on the road, posting a 7-7 road record, I think the Flames beat Milwaukee for a 3^rd time this season and cover this small road spread. Good Luck!