Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons vs Chicago State Cougars Picks and Predictions November 25th 2025

Game Preview: Chicago State Cougars @ Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons

Chicago State makes the short trip into Fort Wayne on Tuesday night for a nonconference matchup against a Purdue Fort Wayne team that has looked sharp early in the season. The Cougars enter at 2-5 and continue searching for offensive consistency, while the Mastodons come in 5-1 and have dominated at home to start the year. The Chicago State Cougars enter as sizeable underdogs, while the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons look to extend their home-court advantage at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Oddsmakers opened Purdue Fort Wayne as -11.5 favorites with a total set at 149.5, reflecting a matchup between one of the nation’s more efficient offenses and a rebuilding Chicago State roster. More NCAAB Tuesday action can be explored at the NCAAB previews hub.

Odds and Key Information

The spread has held steady early as bettors lean toward Purdue Fort Wayne’s scoring pace and home dominance. Chicago State has been competitive against the spread but has struggled to sustain scoring through full possessions. Early action on the under reflects concerns about tempo, with the Mastodons playing slower than their scoring totals suggest.

Purdue Fort Wayne’s staff emphasized interior efficiency and decisive ball movement after their dominant home win over Boyce. Chicago State highlighted the need for improved transition defense and more efficient shot creation after the loss to Iowa. Both teams are expected to bring stable rotations into the matchup.

Chicago State Cougars Outlook

Chicago State aims to bounce back quickly from a difficult outing against Iowa, where the Cougars struggled defensively but received encouraging production from Marcus Tankersley and CJ Ray. Tankersley led with 19 points on 58.3 percent shooting, while Ray added 12 points with controlled efficiency. Scoring reliability remains the key issue for a Chicago State team averaging just over 64 points per game.

One of the Cougars’ advantages lies in their pace. Chicago State ranks 118th nationally in possessions per game, an indicator that they can push tempo and create transition scoring chances when executing well. Their 73.2 percent free-throw rate adds value in close-game scenarios, and their ability to get to the line keeps them in competitive situations when shots are not falling.

Marcus Hall continues to be the focal point at 16 points per game. His attacking mindset and willingness to drive into contact give Chicago State its most consistent scoring threat. The Cougars’ spread tendencies also offer notable insights—they are 3-3 against the spread as an underdog and have covered 60 percent of their last five games.

Defensively, Chicago State must control interior penetration and avoid giving up early paint touches. Purdue Fort Wayne’s high interior efficiency and high-volume shooting create challenges for a Chicago State defense still seeking identity. Rotational stability remains steady with no major injury concerns expected to impact the matchup.

Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons Outlook

The Mastodons have started the season with confidence, highlighted by their 118-68 home win over Boyce. Purdue Fort Wayne sits at a perfect 2-0 at home and boasts a well-rounded offense that averages 86 points per game. Corey Hadnot II continues to lead the offense with 17.1 points per contest and has shown strong efficiency in pick-and-roll and slashing actions.

Purdue Fort Wayne ranks among the top 25 in the nation in field-goal attempts per game and sits 45th in two-point efficiency at 60.7 percent. Their ability to generate high-quality looks in the paint and attack mismatches sets them apart early in the season. DeAndre Craig Jr. adds significant scoring balance with 15.4 points per game, giving the Mastodons one of the stronger mid-major backcourts.

Pace is slightly slower than Chicago State’s but far more efficient. The Mastodons rely on spacing, screening, and controlled tempo to create advantages. Their shooting profile and ability to finish plays translate well against defenses that struggle in rotation or allow deep paint touches.

Defensively, Purdue Fort Wayne must contain Tankersley and prevent Chicago State from establishing any rhythm from two-point range. Their home-court comfort and offensive balance make them a reliable favorite when they execute their game plan. Additional team-level insights for both programs are available at the NCAAB team directory.

Key Matchup Table

Category	Advantage
Offensive Efficiency	Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Backcourt Scoring	Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Pace Stability	Chicago State Cougars
Interior Finishing	Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons

Betting Trends

Chicago State has been competitive in recent ATS performance, covering in three of its last five. Their totals tend to sit near expectation due to wide swings in offensive efficiency. Their neutral-site and road scoring variance makes totals challenging to project.

Purdue Fort Wayne sits at 4-2 ATS and has covered consistently when favored. Their totals have leaned toward higher scoring due to volume shooting and efficient inside scoring. For broader NCAAB market context, bettors can consult the college basketball scores and odds page or explore mid-major insights via the college basketball picks portal. Additional angles appear on the John Wooden Award watch page and the NCAAB championship odds hub.

The Lean

The matchup points strongly toward Purdue Fort Wayne’s offensive reliability and interior finishing. Chicago State can keep games competitive when they control pace and generate contact-driven scoring, but the Mastodons’ efficiency inside and superior spacing present problems for a Cougars defense that has struggled against high-volume shooting opponents.

If Chicago State forces higher tempo and keeps Hall productive, they can stay within reach. However, Purdue Fort Wayne’s home-court strength and scoring balance suggest they are positioned to cover. More nonconference breakdowns are available through the NCAAB previews hub.

Projected Final Score: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 83, Chicago State Cougars 68
Best Spread Pick: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons -11.5
Total Lean: Under 149.5

Why You Need Expert Picks

College basketball handicapping requires close evaluation of pace matchups, schedule context, and efficiency ratings. With mid-major programs often presenting hidden value, expert projections deliver reliable insight into spread edges and total volatility. The Handicappers Leaderboard on the college basketball picks page highlights analysts with strong performance in early-season nonconference lines, while the handicapper reviews hub offers comparative evaluations.

Expert insight helps quantify shooting regression, matchup-specific pace risks, and lineup stability — all essential for accurately projecting games like this one.