Southern Illinois Salukis vs Illinois State Redbirds NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/5/25

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Salukis and Redbirds. The game is starting at 4:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Redbirds at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Missouri Valley conference game currently have Illinois State as the -6.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 141.5 points.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS VS ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Illinois State Redbirds -6.5

This game will be played at CEFCU Arena at 4:00 ET on Sunday, January 5th.

WHY BET THE ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Redbirds.
• Not only will Illinois State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 141.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Can The Salukis Secure a Win at Normal?

Southern Illinois Salukis Recent Game/Games

Southern Illinois fell to 3-9 on the season after a 68-53 home loss to Evansville on Wednesday. The Salukis, who were -7.5 favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

Trailing 42-31 at halftime, Southern Illinois managed just 22 points in the 2nd half while allowing 26. The combined points of 121 fell short of the 138.5 O/U line.

Southern Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, putting up just 53 points on 31.1% shooting from the field. They hit only 19.4% of their threes, going 6-for-31 from deep, with an effective field goal percentage of 36.1%.

On the boards, they grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Tayshawn Comer led the way, shooting 61.5% overall and 66.7% from three, finishing with 26 points and 3 rebounds.

Southern Illinois put up a strong defensive performance, holding their opponent to 68 points on 31% shooting from the field. The Salukis were particularly effective at defending the three-point line, where they limited the other team to just 6 made threes on 31 attempts, a 19% success rate.

Inside the arc, Southern Illinois allowed 13 two-point baskets on 30 attempts, with the opponent shooting 43%. The Salukis also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 9 shots, hitting 69% of their free throws. Additionally, Southern Illinois gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Will the Redbirds Find a Way to Win at Home?

Illinois State improved to 8-5 on the season with a 74-68 road win over Murray State on Thursday. The Redbirds entered the game as +7 underdogs but came away with the victory, covering the spread.

After leading 33-25 at halftime, Illinois State scored 41 points in the 2nd half while allowing 43. The total points for the game reached 142, surpassing the O/U line of 135.5.

Illinois State put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 53.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 61.2%. They hit 62.1% of their two-point attempts and 40% from beyond the arc, while connecting on 87.5% of their free throws.

JaCobi Wood led the way with 21 points and 4 assists, shooting 42.9% from three. Kylen Milton contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Caden Boser was efficient, hitting 77.8% from the field and 60% from three, finishing with 17 points.

Illinois State’s defense gave up 68 points, with the opposing team shooting 41% from the field, hitting 20 of 48 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 12 of 25 shots to fall, a 48% rate.

From three-point range, Illinois State’s defense held their opponent to 8 of 23 shooting, or 34%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 26 times, where they converted 20 free throws, a 76% success rate.