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Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores Picks and Predictions – January 14, 2026
Missouri Valley play continues Wednesday night as the Illinois State Redbirds head to Terre Haute to face the Indiana State Sycamores at Hulman Center. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET, and Illinois State enters as 6.5-point road favorites. The total sits at 146.5 in what could be a fast-paced, offensive battle.
Illinois State is 11–5 and gaining momentum, while Indiana State has hit a wall at 6–9. The Sycamores are just 2–5 in their last seven and struggling to get consistent stops. With Illinois State laying nearly a touchdown on the road, this number feels like a test of whether Indiana State can stay close late.
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Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores Odds
Here are the current lines for this Missouri Valley clash. Keep checking the latest college basketball odds for any late movement.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State Redbirds | -275 | -6.5 (-110) | O 146.5 (-111) |
| Indiana State Sycamores | +215 | +6.5 (-114) | U 146.5 (-113) |
Illinois State Redbirds Betting Form
The Illinois State Redbirds are starting to figure things out. Winners of four of their last five, they’ve leaned on a more balanced attack — strong guard play mixed with efficient post touches and improved defensive rebounding. They aren’t overly fast, but they’re efficient, scoring over 1.1 points per possession in three straight games.
Their defense is quietly improving, especially against teams that lack a strong inside presence. They rotate well and limit second-chance opportunities, which gives them room to survive when the offense goes through short dry spells. Road games are always a bit tricky, but Illinois State has covered three of its last four away from home.
See the full Illinois State Redbirds stats and results and monitor any late changes via the Illinois State Redbirds injury report.
Indiana State Sycamores Betting Form
The Indiana State Sycamores are in a tough spot. They’ve dropped back-to-back games and continue to struggle defensively — allowing over 77 points per game during that stretch. Their offense has some pieces, especially on the perimeter, but they’re streaky and too reliant on contested jumpers when the ball stops moving.
At home, Indiana State plays a little looser, but they’ve been inconsistent. They’ve failed to cover in three straight and don’t match up well with teams that can dominate the paint. Fouling has also become a problem — they rank in the bottom third nationally in opponent free-throw rate.
Take a closer look at the Indiana State Sycamores schedule and stats and be sure to check the Indiana State Sycamores injury report before locking anything in.
Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores Matchup Breakdown
This is a spot where Illinois State’s size and shot selection could be too much. Indiana State likes to shoot early in the clock, but they don’t shoot well enough to trade buckets for 40 minutes. Illinois State controls tempo better and should dominate the glass on both ends.
Key edges:
- Illinois State has a strong rebounding edge
- Indiana State struggles to defend without fouling
- The Redbirds’ offense is more versatile — post, perimeter, and in transition
- Late-game execution leans heavily toward Illinois State
If Indiana State gets hot from three, it’s a game — but that’s not a reliable script, especially with how they’ve looked lately.
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Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores Predictions and Best Bets
Laying 6.5 on the road in a conference game is never easy, but Illinois State deserves it here. Their defensive rebounding and offensive balance give them a higher floor, and Indiana State doesn’t have enough shot creation to close gaps late. I’m laying the points.
As for the total, 146.5 is fair — both teams can score in spurts, but Indiana State’s efficiency is too inconsistent to trust the Over unless Illinois State carries most of the load. Slight lean to the Under if tempo slows down after the first 10 minutes.
Best Bet: Illinois State Redbirds -6.5 (-110)
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