Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State, Picks and Prediction, Friday, March 6, 2026
Use Code WWWC Northern Iowa (19-12, 11-9 MVC) will be going for their third consecutive win when they visit Enterprise Arena on Friday night to face Illinois State (20-11, 12-8 MVC) at 9:30 PM. ET. Read on to find out which team picks up the win in this Panthers vs. Redbirds prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our College Basketball Betting Picks.
The Panthers are coming off a win over Evansville as 13.5-point favorites. The Redbirds are coming off an 81-74 win over Belmont as 1.5-point underdogs.
Northern Iowa is 7-3 in its last 10 games against Illinois State.
Northern Iowa Trying To Snap Streak Against Redbirds
The Panthers closed out the regular season with three wins in their last five games. They lost both of their games against the Redbirds this season and will try to end the streak with a win on Friday.
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Northern Iowa averages 69.3 points per game. They’ve made 47 percent of their field goals and 35 percent of their three-pointers.
Trey Campbell leads the Panthers with 13.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Leon Bond III averages 11.5 points and five rebounds per game, while Will Hornseth averages 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Northern Iowa is giving up 61.1 points per game. Opponents have made 41.4 percent of their field goals and 29 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Illinois State Going For Third Consecutive Win
The Redbirds bounced back from their loss to Bradley with two straight wins, giving them three wins in their last four games. They will try to keep the momentum going and book a spot in the next round with a win on Friday.
Illinois State averages 75.9 points per game. They’ve made 47 percent of their field goals and 36 percent of their three-pointers.
Chase Walker leads Illinois State with 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Johnny Kinziger averages 11.5 points and 3.2 assists per game, while Ty’Reek Coleman averages 10.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Illinois State is giving up 68.3 points per game. Opponents have made 44 percent of their field goals and 33 percent of their three-pointers against them.
Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Picks
Point Spread Pick for Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State
- Illinois State Redbirds to cover. (4 Units)
The Redbirds have the edge in this game because they played well on both ends in recent games, making over 47 percent of their shots, while holding opponents under 70 points per game. They’re also shooting the ball well from long distance, making 40 percent of their three-pointers in their last three games. They made over 80 percent of their free throws in their last three games, while the Panthers made 7 percent of theirs. They’re the better rebounding team, and they grab more than eight offensive rebounds per game, which will give them more scoring chances. They also do a good job of protecting the ball, and won;t give up many easy-scoring chances. The Panthers usually play well defensively, but they haven’t been as good in recent road games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Redbirds. Take Illinois State to cover the spread.
Over/Under Pick for Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State
- Under (4 Units)
The Panthers average 69.3 points per game. They play at the 361st-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 65.6 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that is giving up 68.3 points per game. The Redbirds average 75.9 points per game. They play at the 241st-fastest pace in the nation, averaging 69.3 possessions per game, and they’re facing a team that is giving up 61.1 points per game. Don’t expect these teams to score enough points to push the score over the total. The Panthers and Redbirds played under the total in two of their last three meetings.
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