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Southern Illinois Salukis vs UIC Flames Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
Two middle-tier MVC squads square off on Wednesday night as the Southern Illinois Salukis travel to face the UIC Flames at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET, with Southern Illinois holding a slight edge as 3-point road favorites. The Salukis sit at 9–6 and are looking to build momentum after a gritty home win, while UIC, now 7–8, returns home after a tough road trip with questions on both ends of the floor.
This is a key swing game for both programs with conference positioning on the line. The Flames have shown life at home but continue to struggle with defensive execution and rebounding. Southern Illinois, meanwhile, leans on ball control, defense, and timely shooting — and if the pace slows, the Salukis could be in a favorable spot to grind one out.
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Southern Illinois Salukis vs UIC Flames Odds
Here are the current betting lines for Wednesday’s MVC clash. For updates, check the latest college basketball odds as game day approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois Salukis | -161 | -3.0 (-110) | O 148.5 (-110) |
| UIC Flames | +135 | +3.0 (-110) | U 148.5 (-110) |
Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Form
Southern Illinois plays a controlled brand of basketball — low turnovers, solid half-court defense, and deliberate offensive possessions. The Salukis don’t blow teams out, but they rarely beat themselves. That said, they’ve struggled on the road, dropping four of their last five away from Carbondale. Still, their fundamentals give them a chance in every game, especially when their guards are hitting mid-range jumpers and controlling tempo.
They tend to slow the pace, focusing on limiting transition and forcing contested shots late in the shot clock. Their scoring comes from a mix of pick-and-roll actions and spacing the floor for jumpers, but they don’t generate many second-chance opportunities. Make sure to monitor the Southern Illinois injury report before locking anything in. For more on team form, visit the Southern Illinois stats and results.
UIC Flames Betting Form
UIC enters this one with issues on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve given up 75+ points in five of their last six games, and their inability to stop dribble penetration has been a recurring problem. While they’re capable of scoring in bunches — especially at home — the Flames haven’t consistently strung together enough stops to close games late. That’s been the difference in several one-possession losses.
Offensively, they play at a faster pace than SIU, looking to get out in transition and hunt early shot opportunities. They also shoot a high volume of threes, though efficiency fluctuates. If UIC’s shooters get hot, they can put real scoreboard pressure on the Salukis. But if not, their defense isn’t strong enough to carry them. Always check the UIC injury report for any last-minute availability changes. Full team data is at UIC schedule and stats.
Southern Illinois Salukis vs UIC Flames Matchup Breakdown
This game will likely be decided by who controls the pace. Southern Illinois will want to slow it down and make it a half-court grind, while UIC is far more comfortable in an up-tempo game with quick-trigger threes. If SIU limits transition and forces UIC into contested half-court sets, their defensive edge becomes more impactful.
Southern Illinois doesn’t have a huge rebounding edge, but they are more disciplined in defensive rotations. UIC’s three-point shooting gives them a potential variance edge, but they’ll need to hit at a high clip to keep this within reach if SIU gets comfortable. Late-game execution also leans toward the Salukis, who tend to protect leads well and keep games from turning chaotic.
- SIU’s slower tempo vs UIC’s pace
- UIC’s three-point volume vs SIU’s perimeter defense
- Slight turnover edge for SIU
- Game may come down to final 3 minutes — execution edge to the Salukis
Check our college basketball betting guide for more insights into how these tempo clashes can create value on sides and totals.
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Southern Illinois Salukis vs UIC Flames Predictions and Best Bets
Southern Illinois may not be flashy, but their structure and consistency give them the edge in this kind of matchup. UIC has more scoring upside, but they’ve also been more erratic — and that volatility makes them hard to trust against a veteran Salukis team. Laying -3.0 on the road is never easy in league play, but I lean SIU based on matchup stability and late-game reliability.
The total at 148.5 is tricky. If SIU completely controls tempo, this could stay in the low 140s. But UIC’s pace and shot profile can push scoring up quickly if shots fall. I lean slightly to the under based on how SIU defends and how likely they are to drag this game into a slower rhythm.
Best Bet: Southern Illinois -3.0 (-110)
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