The Indiana State Sycamores will collide with the Northern Iowa Panthers in MVC play Thursday night from the Hulman Center. The Panthers are coming off a tough 82-73 overtime road loss to Loyola Chicago, and the Sycamores fell 71-58 to Missouri State on Sunday. Northern Iowa earned a 68-60 home win over Indiana State in the first meeting this season.
Northern Iowa Falls to Loyola Chicago, Hold Onto First
The Northern Iowa Panthers continue to hold onto first place in the MVC. The Panthers had a chance to increase their first-place lead in the MVC but came up short in an 82-73 road loss to Loyola Chicago on Saturday in a clash that had the Panthers labeled as 1.5 point dogs. Northern Iowa still holds a one-game lead with an 11-3 conference record and they are pegged as a #10 seed in ESPN’s bracketology.
AJ Green continues to post big numbers and has scored at least 19 points in four consecutive games. The sophomore guard has eclipsed the 20 point mark 12 times this season and has compiled an average of 20.2 PPG on 42% shooting. Trae Berhow is another terrific player that continues to thrive. The junior guard can shoot the three with success and also has a few double-doubles. Berhow is averaging 14.1 PPG and 5.7 RPG. Austin Phyfe is a remarkable 12 for 15 from the field in his last two games. The junior guard has lifted his season average to 10.8 PPG and 7.8 RPG.
The Panthers are positioned 41st in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball ratings and hold a solid 7-3 road record. Northern Iowa is an offensive powerhouse and they are averaging 76.6 points, good for 48th in DI. They are holding opponents to 65.5 points, placing them 74th overall.
Indiana State Plummets in MVC after Three Straight Losses
The Indiana State Sycamores will be attempting to avoid their fourth straight defeat in this one. The Sycamores had recently won four straight but have been charged with three losses due to subpar defensive play. They were 4.5 point favorites in a 71-58 home loss to Missouri State on Sunday. Indiana State holds a 7-7 record in MVC action, placing them in the bottom half of the MVC.
Tyreke Key has shot below 40% in three games in a row. The junior guard has surpassed the 20 point mark ten times this season and features an average of 16 PPG on 45% shooting. Jordan Barnes is slumping, converting on 38% or fewer of his field goals in four straight games. The senior guard did score 21 points in a win against Illinois State last week, and he owns an average of 12.6 PPG. Jake Laravia registered 11 points in Sunday’s loss. The freshman forward has recorded an average of 8.9 PPG and 6 RPG on the season.
The Sycamores are ranked 119th in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball ratings and are 10-1 on their home court. They are scoring an average of 68.9 points, ranking them 243rd overall. Indiana State is holding opponents to 67 points, positioning them 115th in DI.
This Looks like a LOW LINE Trap Play:
THE PICK: Indiana St +3.5 over Northern Iowa