The UAB Blazers and Illinois State Redbirds meet Saturday in college basketball action at the UVI Sports & Fitness Center. Here’s a Illinois State vs UAB Prediction. This article will include a Illinois State vs UAB Pick.
UAB Blazers Betting Preview
The UAB Blazers lost to High Point and Longwood, and they play Middle Tennessee and Prairie View A&M next. The UAB Blazers are averaging 83.2 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 71 points on 44.6 percent shooting. Yaxel Lendeborg is averaging 18 points and 10.2 rebounds, while Christian Coleman is averaging 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. Ja’Borri McGhee is the third double-digit scorer and Efrem Johnson is grabbing 1.6 rebounds. The UAB Blazers are shooting 28.3 percent from beyond the arc and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. The UAB Blazers are allowing 31.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.7 rebounds per game.
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds beat Ohio, lost to McNeese, and they play Belmont, Pacific and Saint Louis next. The Illinois State Redbirds are averaging 83.5 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 65.5 points on 40.2 percent shooting. Johnny Kinziger is averaging 13 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Dalton Banks is averaging 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. Ty Pence is the third double-digit scorer and Chase Walker is grabbing 6.3 rebounds. The Illinois State Redbirds are shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc and 84.4 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois State Redbirds are allowing 30.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win
- Illinois State has won three of its last four games.
- UAB has lost three of its last four games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
- UAB has lost the first half in four of its last five games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
Why the UAB Blazers will win
- Illinois State has lost 10 of its last 11 games played at neutral venues.
- UAB has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Illinois State has lost the first half in 14 of its last 15 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Illinois State vs UAB Prediction
I’m not running to the window to back either UAB or Illinois State, especially on the end of a back to back and coming off bad losses. I will however take a look at the over, as both UAB and Illinois State have proven to be high scoring teams that can push the pace. Playing a second game in two days should only help matters, considering the defense tends to suffer on potential tired legs. Give me the over on Saturday afternoon.