Northern Iowa vs Bradley 2/2/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Bradley Braves will travel to the McLeod Center to take on the Northern Iowa Panthers this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

Bradley won their 4^th straight game and improved to 12-10 on the season after defeating the Indiana State Sycamores, 67-52, this past Sunday. Bradley was outstanding defensively against Indiana State and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 47-28 lead with 13:39 left in regulation. Bradley shot 41.0% from the field & 17.4% from beyond the arc while holding Indiana State to just 34.0% from the field & 20.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Braves was Rienk Mast who had a double-double who had 20 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Bradley is averaging 72.0 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Braves are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 34.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Bradley has been led by Terry Roberts (15.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 spg), Rienk Mast (11.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 bpg), Malevy Leons (10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 bpg), & Jayson Kent (7.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg).

Defensively, Bradley is holding their opponents to an average of 65.9 ppg on 39.5% shooting from the field. The Braves have a rebound margin of 6.1 and a turnover margin of -0.6.

The Northern Iowa Panthers improved to 11-9 on the season after defeating the Illinois State Redbirds, 79-64, this past Saturday. Northern Iowa was solid defensively against Illinois State and pulled away in the 2^nd half after taking a 57-38 lead with 10:35 left in regulation. Northern Iowa shot 49.1% from the field & 32.0% from beyond the arc while holding Illinois State to 38.8% from the field & 29.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was AJ Green who had 24 points, 4 rebounds, & 1 assist.

On the season, Northern Iowa is averaging 74.5 ppg on 46.3% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Iowa has been led by AJ Green (18.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 apg), Noah Carter (14.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), Nate Heise (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg), & Trae Berhow (9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 apg).

Defensively, Northern Iowa is allowing their opponents to an average of 69.9 ppg on 44.2% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of 3.0 and a turnover margin of 0.1.

The Braves are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games & 5-3 ATS in their last 8 road games. The Panthers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games & 1-9 ATS in their last 10 Wednesday games.

Bradley has been decent on both ends of the court this season as the Braves come into this game ranked 139^th in FG%, 86^th in scoring defense, & 28^th in defensive FG%. Northern Iowa has been led by their offense which ranks 103^rd in scoring offense, 74^th in FG%, & 90^th in 3P-FG%, however, the Panthers have struggled a bit on the defensive end as they come into this matchup ranked just 202^nd in scoring defense & 256^th in defensive FG%.

Northern Iowa is coming off an impressive defensive performance against a high-scoring Illinois State team, however, the defense overall this season has been inconsistent for the Panthers, and this is already a Northern Iowa team that lost to Bradley earlier this season on the road. Bradley has been playing some of their best basketball of the season as of late, which includes road wins at Drake & Valparaiso, and as I think Bradley is the better team in this one, I’m taking the Braves and the points. Good Luck!