UIC Flames (10-16) vs. Belmont Bruins (17-9)
February 11, 2023 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Belmont Bruins -12 / UIC Flames +12 ; Over/Under: 145.5
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The UIC Flames and the Belmont Bruins meet Saturday in college basketball action from Curb Event Center. UIC is 10-16 overall this year. The Flames lost to Southern Illinois in their last game. As for Belmont, they’re currently 17-9 on the season following a loss to Missouri State. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
UIC Flames
UIC got off to a .500 start this year, going 9-9 over their first 18 games. The Flames have struggled on a 1-7 stretch since then with losses to Murray State, Valparaiso, Northern Iowa, Missouri State, Bradley, Illinois State and Southern Illinois.
In the Southern Illinois matchup on Wednesday, the Flames took a 35-27 deficit into the break. UIC got better in the second half with a 39-33 run but still lost 68-66. Tops in scoring was Jace Carter with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Belmont Bruins
Over on the Belmont side, they posted a solid 12-6 record over their first 18 games of the season. The Bruins are 5-3 over their last eight outings, beating Northern Iowa, Murray State, Bradley, Evansville and Illinois State in that time.
In the Wednesday matchup versus Missouri State, the Bruins went into the second half down 35-33. Belmont kept the pace on 26 points from there in a 61-59 loss. Ben Sheppard led the team with his 14 points and two rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with Belmont here. The Bruins really need a bounce-back from their listless loss to Missouri State on Wednesday, though. Before that 59-point output, Belmont had hit a combined 172 points over their previous two outings. The Bruins took care of UIC the last time these teams met back on January 4, taking a 77-71 win at UIC Pavilion. The Flames have been scoring pretty well lately with 66 or more points in three of their last four outings, but I don’t think they’ll keep pace with Belmont if the Bruins get going.
