Chicago State Cougars vs St. Francis (PA) Red Flash Picks and Predictions January 23rd 2026

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Chicago State Cougars vs St. Francis (PA) Red Flash Betting Preview

The Chicago State Cougars look to snap their struggles, while the St. Francis (PA) Red Flash aim to defend their home floor in this Northeast Conference clash at DeGol Arena.

Line Movement and Odds

St. Francis (PA) enters as the favorite, but Chicago State’s ability to keep games close makes this line worth tracking. Current market:

  • Chicago State Spread: +2.5 (-110)
  • St. Francis (PA) Spread: -2.5 (-110)
  • Chicago State MoneyLine: +125
  • St. Francis (PA) MoneyLine: -150
  • Total: 144.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Chicago State Outlook

The Cougars average 65.6 points per game, with Marcus Tankersley, Braelon Bush, and CJ Ray leading the offense. Ray’s 17 points vs New Haven highlighted his consistency, while Cockrill’s 14 points showcased his impact. Chicago State’s efficiency (75.7% FT, 95th nationally; 2-17 overall record; 1-12 road record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to keep games close makes them a dangerous underdog despite overall struggles.

St. Francis (PA) Outlook

The Red Flash average 69.5 points per game, with Chris Moncrief, Skylar Wicks, and Josh Cohen driving production. Moncrief’s 15 points vs Stonehill highlighted his consistency, while Wicks’ 11 points and 8 rebounds showcased his versatility. St. Francis’ efficiency (75.3 FG attempts per game, 5th nationally; 29.1 three-point attempts per game, 58th nationally; 9.3 steals per game; 4-6 home record; 5-14 overall record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to dominate at DeGol Arena makes them tough at home.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on perimeter shooting and turnovers. Chicago State thrives on free throws and balanced scoring, while St. Francis must rely on Moncrief’s offensive firepower and Wicks’ rebounding to tilt the game. Execution in the final minutes will likely decide the margin.

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Injuries / Availability

Chicago State: The Cougars report no fresh injury concerns heading into Friday’s contest.

St. Francis (PA): The Red Flash are expected to have their full rotation available.

Environment

DeGol Arena has been a balanced venue for St. Francis, where they’ve gone 4-6 this season. Chicago State enters with confidence from strong offensive performances, making this a clash of home strength vs road-tested resilience.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: St. Francis (PA) 70, Chicago State 68

  • Chicago State +2.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive efficiency and free-throw shooting suggest they can stay within the number.
  • Under 144.5 → Total play. Both teams’ slower pace points toward a combined score below the line.

St. Francis’ depth and home-court advantage should carry them to victory, while Chicago State’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a moderately low-scoring contest with totals landing just under the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

Northeast Conference games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers spotlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard highlights who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like Chicago State vs St. Francis (PA), expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.