Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois Betting Preview Feb 9
Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois Predictions and Odds
The Missouri Valley race has the feeling of a WWE battle royal, and Wednesday night’s Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois result will have a big impact toward seeding in next month’s conference tournament. At the time of posting, the Panthers have opened as a 6.5-point home favorite over the visiting Salukis, with the total sitting at 132 points.
Stay on top of the latest College Basketball updates direct from Las Vegas!
| Wednesday, February 9 | Missouri Valley Basketball Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Northern Iowa Panthers -6.5 vs Southern Illinois Salukis |
| Total: | 132 Points |
| Game Time: | 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT |
| Arena: | McLeond Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois Analysis
Southern Illinois is 12-12 on the season, and 14-9 against the spread. The Saluikis average 63.2 points per game while giving up 61.2 points per game. The under is 15-8 in games involving Southern Illinois this season.
Northern Iowa is 13-9 on the season, and 9-12 against the spread. The Panthers average 73.7 points per game while giving up 70.2 points per game. Northern Iowa is 7-4 at home and 4-6 against the spread in those home games (one non-D1 opponent). The over is 13-8 in games involving Northern Iowa this season.
Panthers on the Prowl
We’re getting the feeling that Ben Jacobson’s well-oiled Panthers machine might make it to the title bout at the Scottrade Center after knocking off another contender on the road (Drake) on the weekend after doing the same a few weeks earlier at Mizzou State. UNI’s offense flows, with everyone comfy on the ball and able to shoot the 3-ball, even as top scorer A.J. Green couldn’t hit the side of an Iowa barn last Saturday in Des Moines when missing all five of his triples vs. Drake…and yet the Panthers still won in OT.
Green (18 ppg) is unlikely to stay cold two games in a row, but senior G Trae Berhow (17.5 ppg last two) and explosive 6-6 F Noah Carter (21 ppg last three) are always there to pick up the slack if needed.
Salukis Keep Things Tight
The Salukis, however, aren’t chopped liver, and think they owe the Panthers one after a bitter 69-68 loss at Carbondale on Jan. 15, making a run to take a brief lead deep in the 2nd half after trailing by 10 at the break, with G Lance Jones and F Marcus Domask each scoring 20. Jones also enters tonight very hot after scoring a career-high 31 in Saturday’s win over Illinois State.
Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois Prediction
We think there might be an edge in Cedar Falls is on the “totals” side, as UNI has had only one of its Valley scorelines fall below the early overnight “total” around 130, and indeed has scored 74 or more in all but two of its MVC games since New Year’s, and one of those was the first meeting vs. SIU that still landed on the “over” side.
Depending on when you bet last week’s Northern Iowa vs Drake game, the over is either 9-3 or 10-2 in the Panters’ last 12 games. It’s hard to see that train slowing down tonight in Cedar Falls, with a very manageable total of 132 on the board at the time over posting.
Play the over in tonight’s Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois showdown.
Interested in placing a bet on Wednesday’s Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois clash in the Missouri Valley? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 match bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
College Basketball Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his College Basketball Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Wednesday’s sheet, with notes on this Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois contest.
Happy Hour Tip-Off Show
Get your daily fix of college hoops betting information with Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of handicapping guests. The Happy Hour Tip-Off Show will broadcast Monday through Friday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT. Pull up a barstool and join us as we break down tonight’s college basketball card from a sports betting perspective.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Wednesday’s NCAAB games, including this Northern Iowa vs Southern Illinois showdown, from your desktop or phone.
**************************************************
Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?
- Latest Betting Odds and Public Action: Vegas lines updated in real time, including who the public is betting on.
- Last Minute Handicapping Advice: Check out our extensive library of handicapping tips and advice from professional Vegas handicappers (we also recommend taking the time to look over our sports betting tips video library)
- Want an expert opinion? Check out the latest Free Sports Picks and Best Bets from our team of expert sports handicappers.
Make sure to bookmark all the above!
