Illinois State at Valparaiso College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/2/2019

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Athletics-Recreation Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Illinois State Redbirds travel to Athletics-Recreation Center to play the Valparaiso Crusaders on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Valparaiso as 3 point favorites.

Illinois State comes into this game with an overall record of 7-6. They currently have a point differential of -2.2 as they are averaging 75.5 points per game while giving up 77.7 per contest. Valparaiso has an overall record of 7-6. They are averaging 74.3 points per game and surrendering 69.8, good for a point differential of 4.5.

Valuable Illinois State Redbirds Betting Trends

The Illinois State Redbirds are 4-8-0 against the spread

The Illinois State Redbirds are 6-6-0 against the over/under

Important Valparaiso Crusaders Betting Trends

The Valparaiso Crusaders are 3-8-0 against the spread

The Valparaiso Crusaders are 5-6-0 against the over/under

Key Illinois State Redbirds Injuries

12/01/18 G Matt Chastain Ankle is out indefinitely
11/15/18 F Keith Fisher III Thumb is out indefinitely
11/09/18 F Taylor Bruninga Stress Fracture is out indefinitely

Key Valparaiso Crusaders Injuries

01/01/19 G Bakari Evelyn Leg is out Wednesday vs Illinois State

Player Spotlight

Milik Yarbrough comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 26.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 71%. Phil Fayne averages 15.4 points per game in 27.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.5 assists per contest and 6.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Ryan Fazekas averages 12.9 points per game while playing 27.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 79%. Derrik Smits averages 12.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 23.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 0.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 63% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois State averages 75.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 144th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is -2.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 238th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 162nd in the nation. They average 36.5 rebounds per game and 15.1 assists per game, which ranks them 163rd and 92nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 226th with 12.8 per game. The Redbirds allow 77.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 294th in the country. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 266th and 113th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.1 rebounds a game which ranks 270th and they give up 14.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 273rd place in Division 1. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 96th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Valparaiso is 178th in the country with 74.3 points per game this year. They are 86th in Division 1 in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 4.5. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 246th in the nation. They are 266th in the NCAA in rebounding with 34.6 boards per game, and 55th in assists per contest with 16.0. The Crusaders are 206th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Crusaders surrender 69.8 points per contest, which ranks them 143rd in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 239th and 125th in those defensive statistics. They rank 135th with 12.5 assists allowed per contest and 129th with 34.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Crusaders are 150th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Redbirds are 156th in the nation in offensive rating with 105.5. In terms of pace they are 202nd in the country with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 222nd. As a team they are 225th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 115th in Division 1. Illinois State is 245th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Valparaiso is 160th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions. The Crusaders are 146th in the country in offensive rating with 106.4. In terms of pace they are 255th in Division 1 with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 128th. As a team they are 128th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 239th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Illinois State/Valparaiso college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Valparaiso -3

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