Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/2/23
Illinois State Redbirds (11-20) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (13-17)
March 2, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northern Iowa Panthers -2.5 / Illinois State Redbirds +2.5 ; Over/Under: 137.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois State Redbirds and the Northern Iowa Panthers meet Thursday in Missouri Valley Tournament college basketball action from Enterprise Center. Illinois State enters this game at 11-20 overall. The Redbirds beat Evansville in their last game. As for Northern Iowa, they’re 13-17 on the season following a loss to Belmont. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Illinois State Redbirds
Illinois State went a rough 10-14 over their first 24 outings this year. In the seven games since, the Redbirds are just 1-6, losing to to Belmont, Bradley, Valparaiso, Murray State, Indiana State and Drake before a win over Evansville.
In the Evansville matchup on Sunday, the Redbirds managed a 31-28 edge by the break. Illinois State hit a 41-25 advantage in the second half for the 72-53 victory. Seneca Knight led the team on 26 points with five rebounds.
Northern Iowa Panthers
Over on the Northern Iowa side, they ended up with a .500 record after 24 games, going 12-12 overall. The Panthers are also just 1-6 in their last seven games however, with losses to Bradley, Evansville, Indiana State, Drake, Southern Illinois and Belmont.
Matched up against Belmont on Sunday, the Panthers were within two points at 38-36 by halftime. Northern Iowa was outscored 45-39 in the second and lost 83-75. Landon Wolf put up 21 points and Michael Duax added 12 points with eight rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Northern Iowa. Granted, there’s not a ton of intrigue in this matchup; both teams are struggling right now. That said, we should have a competitive game. Northern Iowa managed wins in both meetings between these teams this year: 66-60 (road game) on New Year’s Eve and 65-63 (home game) on January 18. The Panthers are just 1-8 in their last nine outings and they’ve failed to hit 70 points in five of the last seven games. That said, Illinois State should be in the wheelhouse and I like the Panthers better on a cover. You could make a case either way, though.
