In this article, we will formulate a Cleveland State vs Illinois State prediction for this College Basketball game on Wednesday, March 26, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the finals of the CBI.
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds (21-14, 19-14-1 ATS) weren’t in good form late in the season as they lost four of the final seven regular-season games. The Redbirds entered the MVC tournament as the No. 5 seed and beat Missouri State in the first round before losing to Belmont in the quarterfinals. At the CBI, Illinois State defeated Presbyterian and Incarnate Word to reach the finals.
Illinois State averages 75.7 PPG (133rd) and allows 71.9 PPG (181st). The Redbirds are 369th in rebounds (32.3) and 132nd in assists (14.4). Chase Walker leads the team with 15.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG. Johnny Kinziger follows him with 14.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 1.0 SPG, while Dalton Banks chips in 10.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, a team-high 4.0 APG, and a team-high 1.8 SPG.
Cleveland State Vikings Betting Preview
The Cleveland State Vikings (23-12, 18-13-1 ATS) also struggled in the final games of the regular season as they lost five of eight games. The Vikings secured the No. 2 seed for the Horizon Conference tournament and edged out Northern Kentucky in the quarterfinals but fell short to Youngstown State in the semis.
Cleveland State is averaging 73.2 PPG (208th) and is allowing 66.2 PPG (36th). The Vikings are getting 34.2 RPG (273rd) and dishing out 13.8 APG (182nd). Tevin Smith is the team’s top performer with 13.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG. Tahj Staveskie has 12.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 1.0 SPG, while Dylan Arnett contributes 11.5 PPG, a team-high 7.2 RPG, and a team-high 1.3 BPG.
Why Cleveland State will cover
- Cleveland State has won 11 of its last 13 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois State has lost 11 of its last 14 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Illinois State has lost the first half in 17 of its last 21 games played at neutral venues.
Total Points Facts
- Four of Cleveland State’s last five games have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
- Four of Illinois State’s last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 144+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Cleveland State ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (53.0).
- Cleveland State ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (22.6).
- Illinois State ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for true shooting percentage this season (60.1%).
- Illinois State ranks 19th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.3).
Cleveland State vs Illinois State Prediction
These teams have met just once before, and it was in 2018 when Illinois State secured a win. It’s going to be a close encounter, and it could go either way, but I expect a hard-fought battle in the finals and slightly better display from Cleveland State. Illinois State is a slight favorite here, but I think the Vikings’ defense will prevail. Back Cleveland State to cover.