The Valparaiso Beacons (9-12, 3-7 MVC) limp into battle with the Northern Iowa Panthers (11-9, 7-3) in Cedar Falls on Wednesday. Tip from McLeod Center is at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Valparaiso vs. Northern Iowa odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Valparaiso won its last game 71-51 at Illinois State Saturday, winning outright as a 6.5-point underdog. The Beacons were able to stomp out the 20-point victory for a 3rd straight win but have had very few high points this season. Ranked 260th with 68.6 points per game and 264th with 72.2 points allowed per game, Valparaiso has struggled this season. These struggles have been even worse on the road where the Beacons are just 2-7.
Northern Iowa is one of the top teams in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Panthers have the advantage on home hardwood where they are 7-4. Their defense ranks 91st in the nation with 66.3 points allowed per game, although the offense is not much better then the Beacons at just 70.2 points per game (213th).
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll