Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction, Picks & Odds | 06 Mar 2026

College Basketball Betting Preview: Northern Iowa vs Illinois State

The Northern Iowa Panthers face the Illinois State Redbirds, with tip-off scheduled for 21:30 on Friday, March 6.

Over 126.5 points seems very realistic when Northern Iowa go up against Illinois State. We’re taking odds of -108 on the basis that the total line is too low.

Northern Iowa Panthers won their previous game, beating Evansville Purple Aces at home. It was a 68-59 win.

Illinois State Redbirds last game saw them claim a 81-74 home win over Belmont Bruins.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Illinois State have claimed victory in the last two matchups against Northern Iowa. They won 59-54 at home and 71-69 on the road. Northern Iowa have triumphed in seven of the previous 10 clashes between these teams.

NCAAB	Overall	PF	PA	N. Pts	Home	Away	Strk
Northern Iowa	23-12	2447	2144	303	13-5	10-7	5W
Illinois State	20-12	2404	2190	214	15-4	5-8	1L

View Full Standings

Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Prediction & Picks

Make the most of Northern Iowa vs Illinois State with our betting analysis that includes an expert match prediction, expected scoreline and a hand-picked bet builder designed for value.

Game Prediction

There are odds of -108 about Over 126.5 points and this looks more than generous for this college contest. The bar might have been set too low in terms of the total line.

We keep a close eye on team news and our college basketball handicappers stay sharp by tracking the latest form and lineups. You’ll also find a full set of stats that offer valuable insight and help shape smarter predictions ahead of the action.

Key Northern Iowa vs Illinois State stats:

• The 126.5 line has been covered in the last 4 UNI games on the road.
• The 126.5 line has been covered in 7 of the last 10 UNI games.
• The 126.5 line has been covered in 12 of the last 20 UNI games.
• The 126.5 line has been covered in the last 8 Illinois State games.
• The 126.5 line has been covered in 9 of the last 10 Illinois State games.
• The 126.5 line has been covered in 16 of the last 20 Illinois State games.

Over 126.5 Probability

The best betting apps make it a 51.8% chance that our pick is settled as a winner. However, our research has found that the actual probability is between 55-60%. It is therefore regarded as a value bet.

The sportsbooks give you the option to get bigger odds for your Overs selection by combining this pick on the Match Result & Total lines. Predict a team to win as part of the deal.

Start betting with confidence. Our bonus guide highlights the most valuable free bets and sign-up offers today.

Our Game Prediction

Over 126.5 Points @ -108 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Mar 6, 05:03). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Northern Iowa 69 - 63 Illinois State

There’s a huge payout on the cards should you correctly predict the correct score. We’re siding with the Panthers to claim a 69-63 win which will hopefully go close.

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Northern Iowa vs Illinois State Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

When you consider the latest Moneyline odds, you can find Illinois State at +110 whereas Northern Iowa are -130. This means the leading sportsbooks give the visiting team a 56% chance of success.

The current spread is 1.5 and total points is 130.5. There is no denying the popularity of betting on the Totals. If you're keen on Over 130.5, this selection is available at -108.

There are plenty of team props and game lines available for college basketball wagering, and we recommend checking out the top sportsbooks to find the bet that aligns with your prediction for the game.

Moneyline

UNI

-130

ISU

+110

Point Spread

UNI -1.5

-118

ISU +1.5

-102

Total Points

Under 130.5

-112

Over 130.5

-108

If you have a view on Rebounds, Steals, Blocks, Assists or Points, then the player props could be an option. It’s a fantastic way of betting on a player to perform well and the gambling sites provide lots of choice.

It’s good to consider all wagering options when it comes to college basketball and micro betting can be an exciting way to get involved in the action. When everything goes in-game, consider whether the next shot will be a Two or a Three-pointer.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Northern Iowa Stats

Illinois State Stats

Moneyline

• 7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 games
• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 games
• 8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 home games

Point Spread

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the spread in 4 of the last 10 games on the road

Point Spread

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the spread in 8 of the last 10 home games

Total Points

• Game Totals: An average of 136.20 pts in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 129.60 pts in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 126.5: Covered in 7 of the previous 10 games
• Over 126.5 on the Road: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 74.30 pts and allowed 61.90 pts in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 66.80 pts and allowed 62.80 pts in the last 10 games on the road

Total Points

• Game Totals: An average of 142.60 pts in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 136.50 pts in the previous 10 home games
• Over 126.5: Covered in 9 of the previous 10 games
• Over 126.5 at Home: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 71.80 pts and allowed 70.80 pts in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 74.50 pts and allowed 62.00 pts in the last 10 home games

NCAAB Table Select Season 2025/20262024/20252023/20242022/20232021/20222020/20212019/2020

Missouri Valley	Overall	PF	PA	N. Pts	Home	Away	Strk
Belmont	26-6	2684	2347	337	15-3	11-3	2L
Northern Iowa	23-12	2447	2144	303	13-5	10-7	5W
Bradley	21-12	2560	2422	138	17-4	4-8	1L
Illinois State	20-12	2404	2190	214	15-4	5-8	1L
Murray State	20-12	2667	2558	109	14-4	6-8	2L
UIC	19-15	2567	2379	188	11-7	8-8	1L
Valparaiso	17-15	2278	2300	-22	13-4	4-11	1L
Southern Illinois	16-16	2336	2226	110	8-8	8-8	1L
Drake	14-20	2552	2544	8	7-12	7-8	1L
Indiana State	11-21	2354	2383	-29	8-7	3-14	1L
Evansville	7-25	2143	2447	-304	5-12	2-13	2L

• Overall = Overall Wins-Losses
• PF = Total Points For
• PA = Total Points Against
• N. Pts = Point Differential
• Home = Home Record
• Away = Away Record
• Strk = Current Streak

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