Indiana State Sycamores vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 11/6/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Indiana State Sycamores vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026

Location: Worthen Arena in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Indiana State (+2.5)

Worthen Arena is where the Ball State Cardinals (0-1) will take on the Indiana State Sycamores (0-1) on Friday. Ball State opens this matchup as 2.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total is set at 147.5.

The Indiana State Sycamores played Charlotte and took a loss by a score of 78-70 in their last game. Indiana State ended the contest with a 44.3% field goal percentage (27 of 61) and knocked down 6 out of their 20 shots from distance. At the charity stripe, the Sycamores made 10 of 12 attempts for a percentage of 83.3%. With regard to grabbing rebounds, they collected a total of 17 with 4 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 15 assists for the matchup while forcing the other team into 15 turnovers and getting 9 steals. In the matter of defense, Indiana State allowed the other team to shoot 50.0% from the field on 26 of 52 shooting. Charlotte doled out 10 dimes and had 3 steals for this contest. Additionally, Charlotte pulled down 37 rebounds (9 offensive, 28 defensive), but wasn't able to record a rejection. Charlotte finished shooting 73.7% at the free throw line by making 14 of their 19 shots. They also made 12 of 25 tries from 3-point land. In relation to fouls, the Sycamores ended up walking away with 15 while Charlotte finished the game with 15 fouls.

Karmani Gregory is one player who was a major factor in this game. He ended up shooting 50.0% from the field and distributed 8 assists. He was on the court for 35 mins played and also grabbed 3 boards. He ended up scoring 29 points on 11 out of 22 shooting.

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Indiana State heads into this game with a win-loss record of 0-1 so far this year. They lose possession via turnover 7.0 times per contest and as a team they commit 15.0 fouls every game. As a team, Indiana State is snagging 25.0 rebounds per game and has tallied 15 assists for the season, which has them ranked 190th in the country in terms of passing the ball. The Sycamores are connecting on 30.0% on shots beyond the perimeter (6 of 20) and 83.3% from the charity stripe. They have an average of 70.0 points per game (255th in college hoops) on 44.3% from the field.

On the defensive end of the court, the Sycamores have forced 16.0 turnovers per game while drawing 15.0 fouls. They are conceding 48.0% from beyond the arc and they are ranked 255th in college in points per game allowed (78.0). The Sycamores are giving up a field goal percentage of 50.0% (26 of 52) and they surrender 40.0 boards per contest as a team. They currently rank 115th in the nation in giving up assists with 10 surrendered this year.

When they last stepped on the court, the Ball State Cardinals walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 67-55 when they played Georgia Southern. The Cardinals were able to snag 32 defensive boards and 14 offensive rebounds for a total of 46 in this contest. They also turned it over 15 times, while getting 7 steals for this game. Georgia Southern earned 16 fouls in this contest which got the Cardinals to the charity stripe for a total of 25 tries. They were able to bury 18 of the free throw attempts for a rate of 72.0%. When discussing 3-pointers, Ball State knocked down 5 of 37 tries (13.5%). Overall, the Cardinals finished shooting 16 out of 59 from the floor which had them sitting at 27.1%. The Cardinals permitted Georgia Southern to convert 20 of their 53 attempts from the floor which had them shooting 37.7% for the matchup. They went 26.3% from beyond the arc by going 5 out of 19 and walked away from this one shooting 22 out of 36 from the charity stripe (61.1%). In regard to attacking the glass, Ball State permitted Georgia Southern to snag 37 in total (10 offensive).

Javion Guy-King ended up being important for the Cardinals in the matchup. He accumulated 12 points in his 21 minutes of playing time, but went home with no dimes. He buried 4 out of 8 for this game for a field goal rate of 50.0%, and had 5 rebounds.

Ball State has a win-loss mark of 0-1 on the season. As an offense, the Cardinals are shooting 27.1% from the field, which ranks them 352nd in college. Ball State has accumulated 55 points so far this season and they collect 47.0 boards per game. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 5.0 times per contest (351st in Division 1) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 15.0 times per contest. The Cardinals are responsible for committing 23.0 personal fouls per game and they shoot 72.0% from the free throw line.

The Cardinals on the defensive end are ranked 167th in Division 1 in points per game surrendered with 67.0. They are forcing 10.0 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 37.7% from the floor (137th in D-1). The Ball State defense gives up 26.3% on shots from distance (5 of 19) and their opposition knocks down 61.1% of their free throw attempts. They have relinquished 10.0 dimes and 39.0 rebounds per game, which ranks them 124th and 264th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Indiana State (+2.5)

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