UIC Flames vs Illinois State Redbirds NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24
Planning on watching today’s Flames and Redbirds game? Catch the action at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL, as the Redbirds hosts this showdown at 5:00 ET on MARQ. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 145.5 points, and Illinois State is favored by -4.5 to win at home against UIC.
UIC FLAMES VS ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Illinois State Redbirds -4.5
This game will be played at CEFCU Arena at 5:00 ET on Sunday, December 29th.
WHY BET THE ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Redbirds.
- Not only will Illinois State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -4.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Are the Flames Ready for a Win at Normal?
UIC improved to 5-4 on the season with a 79-68 win over Seattle on Friday. The Flames were +6.5 point underdogs going into the game but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.
UIC led 34-32 at halftime and took control in the 2nd half, outscoring Seattle 45-36. The total points for the game came in just under the O/U line of 148.5, with a combined 147 points.
In their latest game, UIC’s offense put up 79 points, shooting 50.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 60.4%. They connected on 42.9% of their threes, going 9-for-21, and hit 76.2% from the free-throw line.
Brayden Maldonado led the way, hitting 5-of-7 from deep and finishing with 22 points on 72.7% shooting. Ahmad Henderson II added 14 points and 9 assists, while Filip Skobalj contributed 11 points, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
UIC’s defense gave up 68 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 41% from the field on 24 of 58 attempts. Inside the arc, the Flames allowed 18 two-point baskets on 40 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.
From three-point range, UIC’s defense held their opponents to 6 made threes on 18 attempts, a 33% success rate. The Flames also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 14, shooting 66%. UIC allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can the Redbirds Hold Strong at Home?
Illinois State improved to 7-4 on the season with an 80-77 road win over Cornell on Sunday. The Redbirds entered the game as +6 underdogs but pulled off the upset, covering the spread in the process.
After trailing 45-43 at halftime, Illinois State tightened up defensively, holding Cornell to 32 points in the second half while scoring 37 themselves. The total points for the game finished just under the 157.5-point O/U line.
Illinois State’s offense shone in their latest game, putting up 80 points with a 50% field goal percentage. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 63%, thanks to hitting 14 of 26 from beyond the arc, good for 53.8%.
Nazir Williams and AK Okereke each contributed 19 points, with Williams adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Landon Wolf and Guy Ragland Jr. were perfect from three, with Wolf going 3 for 3 and Ragland hitting 2 of 2.
Illinois State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 77 points on 52% shooting from the field. They allowed 28 made field goals on 53 attempts.
Inside the arc, the Redbirds gave up 22 two-point baskets on 28 attempts, a 78% conversion rate. From three-point range, they allowed 6 made threes on 25 attempts, a 24% shooting percentage. The opposing team also shot 88% from the free-throw line, making 15 of 17 attempts. Illinois State limited offensive rebounds, giving up just 3.