The Illinois State Redbirds and the Bradley Braves meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Carver Arena. Illinois State enters this one at 8-13 overall. The Redbirds lost to Valparaiso on Saturday in their last game. As for Bradley, they’re 13-8 on the season and coming off a close loss to Belmont. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Illinois State Redbirds
The Redbirds were 6-10 after 16 games this year, beating Eastern Illinois, Northwestern State, Belmont, Eastern Michigan, SIUE and Chicago State along the way. Illinois State is 2-3 since then with wins over Evansville and Missouri State.
In the Valparaiso game on Saturday, Illinois State was down 33-24 by halftime. The Redbirds took a 38-27 second-half deficit and lost 71-51. Darius Burford led the team on 23 points, and Malachi Poindexter added 10 points.
Bradley Braves
Over on the Bradley side, they lost to Utah State, Auburn, Liberty, Arkansas, Belmont and Murray State during their first 16 games. The Braves are 3-2 since then with wins over Valparaiso, Evansville and Indiana State.
On Saturday versus Belmont, the Braves were up 40-37 by halftime. Bradley was outscored 41-36 from there and lost 78-76. Reink Mast (23 points; 11 rebounds) and Malevy Leons (12 points; 10 rebounds) each doubled up.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stick with Bradley. The Braves took a close loss to Belmont on Saturday and a blowout loss to Drake before that, but otherwise they’ve been playing pretty well lately. Bradley has hit 76 or more points in four of the last five games and should notch a solid total in this one as well. As for Illinois State, they haven’t cracked 63 points for three straight games so it’ll be tough for them to keep pace if they’re not playing well. Bradley seems the better cover option here.
