Southern Illinois Salukis vs Valparaiso Beacons NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/28/25
Planning on watching today’s Salukis and Beacons game? Catch the action at Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, IN, as the Beacons hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Missouri Valley conference game currently have Valparaiso as the -1 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 149.5 points.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS VS VALPARAISO BEACONS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Valparaiso Beacons -1
This game will be played at Athletics-Recreation Center at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, January 28th.
WHY BET THE VALPARAISO BEACONS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Beacons.
- Not only will Valparaiso pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 149.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Do the Salukis Have What it Takes on the Road?
Southern Illinois Salukis Recent Game/Games
Southern Illinois improved to 7-12 on the season with an 89-85 road win over UIC on Saturday. The Salukis entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win.
After a 46-46 tie at halftime, Southern Illinois outscored UIC 43-39 in the second half. The game’s total points of 174 exceeded the O/U line of 148.5.
Southern Illinois put up 89 points in their last game, shooting 55% from the field and 63% on two-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 58.3%, but they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 4 of 14 threes (28.6%).
Ali Dibba led the way with 26 points, while Jordan Mason added 23 points and 7 assists. The Salukis dished out 20 assists as a team, with 10 offensive rebounds and 19 made free throws on 26 attempts (73.1%).
Southern Illinois struggled defensively, giving up 85 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 50% from the field. They conceded 28 field goals on 56 attempts.
From beyond the arc, their opponent hit 10 threes on 24 attempts, shooting 41%. Southern Illinois also sent them to the line 28 times, where they made 19 free throws.
Is It the Beacons Game to Lose at Home?
Valparaiso Beacons Recent Game/Games
Valparaiso’s season record fell to 8-11 after a 78-68 home loss to Evansville on Saturday. The Beacons were -7 favorites going into the game, but they failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 146, surpassing the over/under line of 140.5.
Valparaiso found themselves in a deep hole early, trailing 44-26 at halftime. They showed some fight in the second half, outscoring Evansville 42-34, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
Valparaiso’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 38.6% from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc, finishing with 68 points. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.3%, and they hit only 46.2% of their free throws.
Tanner Cuff led the way with 22 points, shooting 8/12 from the field, while Gabriel Pozzato added 21 points and 7 rebounds. Tayshawn Comer contributed 17 points, hitting 4 of his 5 three-point attempts.
Valparaiso’s defense gave up 78 points in their last game, despite holding the opposing team to just 38% shooting from the field. They allowed 19 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, which is 46% shooting.
From beyond the arc, Valparaiso’s defense limited the opposition to 8 threes on 29 attempts, or 27% shooting. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 6, shooting 46%.