The Indiana State Sycamores and the Northern Iowa Panthers meet Thursday in college basketball action from the Hulman Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Indiana State Sycamores vs. Northern Iowa Panthers prediction.
Indiana State Sycamores Recap
The Indiana State Sycamores come into this game looking to add on to their 81-80 win over Belmont last time out to sit at 8-6 this season. After this game, Indiana State will head on the road for a game against Drake.
Sycamores Snap Two-Game Slide
Ian Scott leads Indiana State in scoring and rebounding with 13.9 PPG and 7.4 RPG while Camp Wagner has 13.2 PPG with 5.1 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Indiana State up to this point in the year. Sterling Young has 9.6 PPG while Xavier Hall has also added 9.1 PPG with 2.3 RPG and a team-high 5 APG to lead the Sycamores in assists so far this season. Derek Vorst has 9.1 PPG with 4.4 RPG as well up to this point in the year. As a team, Indiana State is averaging 76.7 PPG on 45.4% shooting from the field, 31.3% from three and 69.7% from the foul line this season.
Why the Indiana State Sycamores will win
- Indiana State has won four of its last five games following a home win.
Northern Iowa Panthers Recap
The Northern Iowa Panthers come into this game looking to add on to their 58-48 win over Valparaiso last time out to sit at 10-3 this season. After this game, Northern Iowa will head on the road for a game against Evansville.
Panthers Looking To Build Steam
Trey Campbell leads the Panthers in scoring and assists with 13.2 PPG and 3.5 APG along with 3.5 RPG and 2.2 SPG while Leon Bond III has 13.1 PPG with 5.6 RPG and 2 APG. Tristan Smith has 10.2 PPG with 5.7 RPG to lead Northern Iowa in rebounding and to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Northern Iowa so far this season. Will Hornseth has 9.4 PPG with 4.3 RPG and Ben Schwieger has 7.8 PPG with 3.9 RPG and 2.2 APG as well this year. As a team, Northern Iowa is averaging 70.2 PPG on 46.4% shooting from the field, 36% from three and 68.2% from the foul line this season.
Why the Northern Iowa Panthers will win
- Indiana State has lost each of its last six night games at McLeod Center.
- Northern Iowa has won 22 of its last 24 night games at McLeod Center.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Indiana State’s last 18 road night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 138+ points.
- Each of Northern Iowa’s last six games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 129 or fewer points.
Indiana State Sycamores vs. Northern Iowa Panthers Prediction
I’m on Indiana State and the points here. I get the case to be made for Northern Iowa, as we saw Indiana State go on the road and get crushed by another one of the top dogs in the MVC when they lost in a blowout to Illinois State before the Christmas break. That being said, Northern Iowa is a team I like, but they play at such a grind that they’re also a team I have a hard time laying big numbers with. Indiana State hung and beat Belmont and while I’m not sure they replicate that here, I think they can keep this one within single digits. I’ll roll with Indiana State and the points here.