UIC Flames vs Valparaiso Beacons Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Sunday January 4 2026
The UIC Flames, currently holding a 5-9 record overall and still searching for their first victory in Missouri Valley Conference play at 0-3, are heading out to Valparaiso, Indiana for an important matchup. They’ll be taking on the Valparaiso Beacons, who are also looking to turn things around in the season; the Beacons come into this game with a 6-8 record and, like UIC, are winless so far in conference play at 0-3. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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UIC vs. Valparaiso Game Information
- January 4, 2026
- 2:00pm EST
- Murphy Center
- ESPN+
Valparaiso Form & Recent Results
Valparaiso enters this matchup looking to snap a tough five-game losing streak. Most recently, they fell short in a close contest against Southern Illinois, dropping the game 75-70 on Thursday. Despite the loss, Owen Dease put together an impressive performance, leading the Beacons with 26 points. Shon Tupuola chipped in on the boards, grabbing 8 rebounds, while JT Pettigrew contributed 3 assists to the team's effort. During that game, Valparaiso showed their reliability from the free throw line, sinking 83% of their attempts. The team also hustled for 47 rebounds, showing persistence even in defeat. During this season, Owen Dease has stood out as Valparaiso’s top scorer, averaging 13.2 points per game. Both Rakim Chaney and JT Pettigrew have also been consistent offensive contributors, each averaging 10.2 points so far. Shon Tupuola has been the team’s most dependable rebounder, pulling down an average of 6.9 rebounds each outing. Rakim Chaney has been key in facilitating the offense, leading the Beacons with 3.1 assists per game this year. Unfortunately, defensive struggles have played a role in Valparaiso’s recent slide. During their current losing stretch, they have allowed opponents to score an average of 75.4 points per game. On a more positive note, the Beacons have had better luck on their home court, notching a 5-3 record and averaging 73.6 points per home game this season. As they prepare to take on UIC, Valparaiso is eager to use their home advantage to break out of their slump and secure their first home conference win of the season.
UIC Form & Recent Results
UIC heads into this game hoping to bounce back after a tough stretch, as they're currently on a one-game losing streak and have come up short in four of their last five matchups. Their most recent defeat was a narrow 81-77 loss to Murray State. During that contest, Ahmad Henderson II stood out for the Flames by putting up 22 points. Mekhi Lowery contributed by grabbing 8 rebounds, and Andy Johnson chipped in with 4 assists. The team as a whole shot 41% from the field and made 33% of their shots from behind the arc, plus they dominated the boards with 42 rebounds. Despite managing to hold the lead for almost half the game, they couldn’t close it out. So far, Ahmad Henderson II has emerged as the main scoring threat for UIC, averaging an impressive 14.1 points per game. Right behind him is Andy Johnson, who is also having a strong season with an average of 13.3 points. Mekhi Lowery has been their rebound leader, collecting 6 rebounds per game, which has been key to keeping UIC in close matchups. Ahmad Henderson II doesn’t just score, he’s also the team’s leader in assists, averaging 2.9 per game. However, UIC has struggled defensively, giving up an average of 76 points across their last five games. Their record on the road hasn’t been much better either, sitting at just 1-5. In those away games, the Flames have allowed an average of 80.3 points, showing there’s definitely room for improvement, especially on defense. Like their opponents, Valparaiso, UIC is still searching for their first conference win this season. They'll be eager to tighten up their defensive play and finally break through with a victory in this upcoming game.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The Insiders Room | +1,793.00 |
| 2 |  Tony Karpinski | +1,731.00 |
| 3 |  Jesse Schule | +1,599.00 |
| 4 |  Rob Vinciletti | +1,284.00 |
| 5 |  David Delano | +1,232.00 |
Key Stats
- UIC Flames this season: 44% field goal percentage, 36.5 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 4.4 blocks, 8.6 steals per game
- Valparaiso Beacons this season: 40% field goal percentage, 38.8 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 4.4 blocks, 6.2 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- VAL -3.5; O/U 142.5
UIC vs. Valparaiso Picks and Prediction
Going into Sunday’s matchup, both UIC and Valparaiso are still searching for their first conference victory of the season, meaning one of these teams will finally put an end to their losing streak in conference play. Valparaiso has shown they can be tough to beat on their own court, having picked up five wins in their eight home games so far this season. On the other hand, UIC has struggled when playing away from their home crowd, managing to win just one out of their last six games on the road. Final Score Prediction, Valparaiso Beacons win and cover the spread, 77-71.
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