Illinois State vs. Valparaiso betting: College basketball preview for Jan. 7

Data Skrive
Data Skrive

The Illinois State Redbirds (12-3, 4-0 MVC) are favored (-7.5) to extend a four-game win streak when they visit the Valparaiso Beacons (7-8, 1-3 MVC) at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Athletics-Recreation Center. The game airs on ESPN+. The matchup has an over/under of 138.5 points.

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Illinois State Cover -7.5 vs Valparaiso -108

Bet $20, Payout $38.52

Illinois State vs. Valparaiso betting lines

  • Illinois State moneyline odds to win: -323
  • Valparaiso moneyline odds to win: +256
  • Spread: Illinois State (-7.5)
  • Total: 138.5

Illinois State statistics, trends and more

As the away team

  • Illinois State has done a better job covering the spread at home (5-1-0) than it has in road affairs (2-2-0).
  • The Redbirds have gone over the total more consistently at home, hitting the over in two of six home matchups (33.3%). In away games, they have hit the over in one of four games (25%).
  • As a moneyline favorite, Illinois State has the same winning percentage when playing at home compared to when playing away from home (1.000).

Recent trends

  • The Redbirds have been racking up 81.3 points per contest in their last 10 times on the court, an average that’s slightly higher than the 79.9 they’ve scored over the course of the 2025-26 season.
  • Illinois State’s points-allowed average over its last 10 games (62.6) is 2.6 fewer points per game than the team is allowing over the entire season (65.2).
  • The Redbirds are trending up from beyond the arc during their last 10 outings, making 9.3 threes per game and shooting 38.3% from long range compared to their season-long averages of 8.8 makes and 36.5% from distance in the 2025-26 season.

Illinois State betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 10-4-0 (Home: 5-1-0; Away: 2-2-0)
  • ATS Record When Favored by 7.5+: 4-2-0 (As Favorite: 8-2-0; As Underdog: 2-2-0)
  • O-U-P: 5-9-0 (Home: 2-4-0; Away: 1-3-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 10-0 (Home: 6-0; Away: 2-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-3 (Home: 0-0; Away: 1-1)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
49.7 (32nd in nation) 40.7 (59th) 34.6 (109th) 28.9 (75th) 14.3 (186th) 10.5 (97th)

Need to know more about sports betting before you put down a wager on Illinois State vs. Valparaiso? Here’s everything you need to know about how to bet.

Valparaiso statistics, trends and more

As the home team

  • Valparaiso’s winning percentage against the spread at home is .625 (5-3-0). On the road, it is .833 (5-1-0).
  • In terms of the over/under, Beacons games have gone over two of eight times at home (25%), and four of six away (66.7%).
  • When moneyline underdogs, the Beacons have won a lower percentage of games at home (0-2) than away (1-5).

Recent trends

  • In their previous 10 games, the Beacons are averaging 71.3 points per game, 0.4 more than their season average (70.9).
  • Valparaiso has played better defensively over its past 10 games, ceding 68.8 points per contest, 0.9 fewer points than its season average of 69.7 allowed.
  • The Beacons are draining 0.4 fewer three-pointers per game in their past 10 games (6.3) compared to their season average (6.7), and they are delivering a worse three-point percentage over their past 10 contests (29.2%) compared to their season mark (29.4%).

Valparaiso betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 10-4-0 (Home: 5-3-0; Away: 5-1-0)
  • ATS Record When Underdog by 7.5+: 4-1-0 (As Favorite: 4-2-0; As Underdog: 6-2-0)
  • O-U-P: 6-8-0 (Home: 2-6-0; Away: 4-2-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 5-1 (Home: 5-1; Away: 0-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-7 (Home: 0-2; Away: 1-5)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
40.0 (349th in nation) 42.3 (115th) 33.9 (145th) 32.8 (269th) 11.7 (330th) 10.1 (63rd)
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