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Chicago State heads to New Britain on Thursday, February 5, 2026 for a 7:00 PM ET tip at William H. Detrick Gymnasium against Central Connecticut State, with the game airing on NEC. The Cougars are coming off a much-needed 78-74 win over Mercyhurst, and the headliner was CJ Ray dropping 37 points with 10 rebounds. That kind of game can carry confidence into the next one, but it also tells you how narrow the margin can be when the offense needs a spike performance to reach the high 70s.
Central Connecticut State is in bounce-back mode after an 80-59 loss to LIU, and the matchup sets up like a typical home favorite spot. They’ve already shown they can respond after a letdown, like the 62-55 win over Wagner, and they’re generally more efficient as a scoring team. If they start clean and don’t hand Chicago State free possessions, this can look comfortable by the middle of the second half.
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Chicago State vs Central Connecticut State Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always keep an eye on movement and shop price as tip approaches. You can follow the latest college basketball odds as the market updates throughout the day.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State Cougars | +405 | +10.5 (-118) | O 138.5 |
| Central Connecticut State Blue Devils | -550 | -10.5 (-102) | U 138.5 |
Chicago State Cougars Betting Form
Chicago State’s path to competing in this game is pretty straightforward, even if it’s not easy to execute. They need their primary scorers, Ray and Marcus Tankersley, to generate enough shot creation without it turning into constant late-clock bailouts. Ray’s efficiency can swing wildly depending on how much he’s asked to create off the dribble, and against a favorite that’s fine playing from ahead, Chicago State can get stuck forcing tough looks when the first action doesn’t work.
The Cougars’ best betting angle is their ability to disrupt. They average about 8 steals per game, and that matters because it can create the only kind of offense that feels “easy” for them: live-ball turnovers into runouts. If they’re not getting those, it becomes a half-court grind where every scoring drought is magnified. For a quick snapshot of team-level trends, you can also use the NCAAB teams hub for Chicago State stats and results as part of your handicap.
Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Betting Form
Central Connecticut State is a more stable offensive team, and it shows up in the shooting profile. They’re hitting 47.0% from the field and 37.2% from three, and that efficiency is a big reason they can cover numbers like this at home when they don’t beat themselves. Darin Smith Jr. is the obvious centerpiece as a high-volume scorer, and when he’s getting good touches, CCSU’s offense looks more organized and less dependent on one type of shot.
This is also a free-throw team you can trust late. They shoot 75.9% at the line, which matters in spread situations because it turns the last two minutes into a slow add-on rather than a chaos finish. The only thing I’m watching is energy early after that LIU loss. If CCSU comes out sloppy, Chicago State can hang around longer than it should. If CCSU is locked in, the efficiency edge starts to widen quickly.
Chicago State Cougars vs Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Matchup Breakdown
The tempo here likely stays modest, and that usually pushes the game toward execution over volume. Chicago State doesn’t want a track meet unless it’s off steals, and CCSU is comfortable being patient if the shots are clean. That kind of setup tends to favor the team that shoots better and has fewer empty possessions, which is the Blue Devils on paper.
Shot profile is the key. CCSU’s three-point shooting is a real weapon, and Chicago State isn’t built to trade efficient threes for tough twos all night. The Cougars can flip the script if they create extra possessions through steals and second chances, but if the turnover margin is neutral, it’s hard to see Chicago State scoring at a pace that keeps the spread tight.
The late-game script is also worth mentioning because it touches both the side and the total. If CCSU is sitting on an 8–12 point lead late, the foul game can keep the favorite scoring even if the game never fully opens up. That’s one of the cleaner ways a favorite covers while the overall game still feels slower than the number suggests.
Chicago State Cougars vs Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Central Connecticut State on the spread because Chicago State’s scoring floor remains the biggest issue. Even with the Mercyhurst win, they’re still a team that can go cold for long stretches, and that’s dangerous when you’re catching a number that requires you to stay competitive in the half court. CCSU’s efficiency and shooting edge is the difference-maker, especially at home where they’ve been more reliable.
The total lean is Under 138.5, and it’s mostly about pace plus Chicago State’s offense. The Cougars average 65.6 points per game, and their preferred way to keep this close is to make it choppy, not fast. CCSU can score, but they’re not a “push pace at all costs” team either. My only hesitation is the late foul stretch adding points, but if Chicago State doesn’t reach the high 60s, the Under is sitting in a decent position.
Best Bet: Central Connecticut State Blue Devils -10.5 (-102).
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NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
College hoops is a volume sport for bettors. On big slates, it’s not just about having one opinion, it’s about comparing angles and finding where your read lines up with price. I also think it helps to track how different bettors handle the same matchup, because styles vary a lot, especially with totals and short favorites.
If you’re building a daily card, start with today’s college basketball picks to see how the slate is shaping up and where the strongest leans are clustering. It’s a practical way to stay disciplined, avoid random adds late, and focus on spots where the market still gives you a workable number.
