Indiana State Sycamores (21-5) vs. Valparaiso Beacons (6-21)
February 21, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Valparaiso Beacons +14; Over/Under: +156
(Get latest betting odds)
The Indiana State Sycamores and the Valparaiso Beacons meet in college basketball action from the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday night. Who comes out ahead in this Missouri Valley conference tilt? Let’s dive in and find out with our Indiana State vs. Valparaiso Prediction.
Indiana State Team Preview
The Indiana State Sycamores come into this game looking to rebound from back-to-back losses after a 74-69 loss to Southern Illinois last time out. Isaiah Swope leads the Sycamores in scoring with 17.3 PPG while Robbie Avila has 16.6 PPG with 7.4 RPG and 3.8 APG. Ryan Conwell has 15.7 PPG with 4.8 RPG and Jayson Kent has 12.7 PPG with a team-high 8.3 RPG to lead the Sycamores on the glass. Julian Larry has 10.8 PPG with a team-high 4.1 APG to lead the Sycamores in assists and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Indiana State up to this point in the year. As a team, Indiana State is averaging 84.3 PPG on 50% shooting from the field, 38% from three and 78.2% from the foul line this season.
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Valparaiso Team Preview
The Valparaiso Beacons come into this one looking to snap an eight-game losing skid after an 82-74 loss to Missouri State last time out. Isaiah Stafford leads the Beacons in scoring with 16.8 PPG along with 3.5 RPG and 2 APG while Cooper Schweiger has 12.5 PPG with 5.4 RPG as the only other double-digit scorer for Valpo up to this point in the year as the Beacons’ top rebounder. Darius DeAveiro has a team-high 5.5 APG to lead Valparaiso in the assist department this season. As a team, Valparaiso is averaging 68.2 PPG on 40.7% shooting from the field, 32.9% from three and 72.1% from the foul line this season.
Indiana State vs. Valparaiso Prediction
I’m on Indiana State. The Sycamores are heads and shoulders the better team in this matchup, and already put a hurting on Valpo by 40 points in the first meeting this season. Valparaiso is the worst team in the MVC and while the Sycamores took a couple of frustrating losses earlier in conference play, I think they get back on track with a big win and cover at home in this one.
