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Illinois State vs Southern Illinois: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | February 25, 2025
Written by: Colby Marchio
Last Updated:
Read Time: 4 minutes
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The last time Illinois State and Southern Illinois faced off, the Redbirds embarrassed the Salukis with a 31-point beatdown. Now, despite that lopsided result, Southern Illinois opens as a home favorite in what feels like the ultimate revenge spot. With the Salukis looking to turn the tables, this Missouri Valley showdown has all the makings of a compelling matchup.
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Illinois State vs Southern Illinois Odds
Will Southern Illinois get their revenge tonight at home against Illinois State?
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Spread
Illinois State: -1.5 (-110)
Southern Illinois: +1.5 (-110)
Total
Over: 147 (-110)
Under: 147 (-110)
Moneyline
Illinois State: -125
Southern Illinois: +105
Illinois State vs Southern Illinois Best Bet
One of the more head-scratching lines on today’s slate, and we are fully diving into this Missouri Valley matchup between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Southern Illinois Salukis. The last time these two met, back on January fifth, the Redbirds destroyed the Salukis 85-54 on their home court as 7.5-point favorites. Now, Southern Illinois opens as a short home favorite after losing by 31 points. This has all the makings of an all-time revenge spot.
Southern Illinois has struggled over their last few games, losing four of the last five. All season, the Salukis have been middle-of-the-pack in the Missouri Valley—average on both offense and defense. They do excel in second-chance points, ranking second in the conference in offensive rebounding. At home, they rank 81st in defensive rebounding and defend the inside reasonably well, sitting at 180th.
This middle-of-the-pack offense has the privilege of facing one of the worst defenses in the conference. The Redbirds struggle to defend the interior and block shots while holding the 84th-worst effective field goal percentage in the country. Away from home, they allow an average of 74 points per game. They now face an offense that plays at a much faster pace—nearly a 100-spot difference in tempo.
With how poorly Illinois State plays defense and with Southern Illinois controlling the pace at home this time around, the Salukis should be able to get their revenge. They just need to get stops inside and keep the Redbirds off the free-throw line. Illinois State ranks dead last in the conference at getting to the line—keep it that way. The line looks suspicious, which could be a tell or a complete miss, but there is no reason the Salukis should have opened as the favorite. I will gladly take my chances.
Who does not love a revenge spot? LOSERS! Give me the dogs!
Best Bet: Southern Illinois Moneyline (+105) on BetOnline
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Former D1 (club) baseball player, Colby has been betting since his college days at DePaul, where he had to endure the worst collegiate basketball the Big East has ever seen. He is an advanced analytics nerd who spends his free time on Bart Torvik, Ken Pom and Batters-Box.com. He has never seen an underdog he has not liked. Hot. Corn. Bull. It does not matter the dog he loves them all.
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