Northern Iowa vs. Southern Illinois betting: College basketball preview for Feb. 21

Data Skrive
Data Skrive

The Southern Illinois Salukis (13-15, 7-10 MVC) visit the Northern Iowa Panthers (18-10, 10-7 MVC) after winning three road games in a row. The Panthers are favored by 6.5 points in the matchup, which begins at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The matchup has an over/under of 132.5.

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Spread

Northern Iowa Cover -6.5 vs Southern Illinois -111

Bet $20, Payout $38.02

Northern Iowa vs. Southern Illinois betting lines

  • Northern Iowa moneyline odds to win: -299
  • Southern Illinois moneyline odds to win: +236
  • Spread: Northern Iowa (-6.5)
  • Total: 132.5

Northern Iowa statistics, trends and more

As the home team

  • Northern Iowa has covered the spread in a lower percentage of its home games than away games. It has covered seven times in 14 games at home, and it has covered six times in 10 games when playing on the road.
  • The Panthers have gone over the over/under in six of 14 home games (42.9%). They’ve done better in road games, eclipsing the total in five of 10 matchups (50%).
  • Northern Iowa has won a higher percentage of its games as a moneyline favorite at home, going 10-3 (.769). When playing away from home as a moneyline favorite, it sports a record of 3-2 (.600).

Recent trends

  • In their last 10 games, the Panthers have been putting up 70.3 points per game, an average that’s slightly higher than the 69.5 they’ve scored over the course of the 2025-26 season.
  • Northern Iowa’s defense has been less stingy as of late, as the team has allowed 63.1 points per game during its past 10 compared to the 61.1 points per game its opponents are averaging on the season.
  • While the Panthers are knocking down fewer threes per game over their past 10 contests (7.3 per game) in comparison to their season-long average (7.8), they are doing so while shooting a higher percentage (34.6% from deep over the last 10, 34.4% on the season).

Northern Iowa betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 14-12-0 (Home: 7-7-0; Away: 6-4-0)
  • ATS Record When Favored by 6.5+: 6-5-0 (As Favorite: 10-10-0; As Underdog: 4-2-0)
  • O-U-P: 11-15-0 (Home: 6-8-0; Away: 5-5-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 14-6 (Home: 10-3; Away: 3-2)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 3-3 (Home: 1-0; Away: 2-3)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
46.9 (83rd in nation) 40.5 (30th) 28.8 (329th) 31.0 (182nd) 14.7 (130th) 8.8 (eighth)

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

Southern Illinois statistics, trends and more

As the away team

  • In 2025-26 against the spread, Southern Illinois has a lower winning percentage at home (.333, 4-8-0 record) than away (.615, 8-5-0).
  • Salukis games have gone above the over/under 33.3% of the time at home (four of 12), and 30.8% of the time away (four of 13).
  • When moneyline underdogs, the Salukis have won a higher percentage of games at home (1-2) than on the road (3-7).

Recent trends

  • The Salukis have performed worse offensively over their last 10 games, compiling 68.9 points per contest, 4.9 fewer points their than season average of 73.8.
  • While Southern Illinois is allowing 70.7 points per game in 2025-26, it has improved that mark over its past 10 games, allowing 65.7 points per contest.
  • In their past 10 games, the Salukis are sinking 5.4 three-pointers per contest, 0.4 more than their season average (5.0). They also have a higher three-point percentage over their last 10 contests (29.3%) compared to their season average (28.1%).

Southern Illinois betting records this season

  • ATS Record: 13-14-0 (Home: 4-8-0; Away: 8-5-0)
  • ATS Record When Underdog by 6.5+: 6-1-0 (As Favorite: 6-7-0; As Underdog: 7-7-0)
  • O-U-P: 8-19-0 (Home: 4-8-0; Away: 4-9-0)
  • Record When Moneyline Favorite: 8-5 (Home: 5-4; Away: 2-1)
  • Record When Moneyline Underdog: 4-10 (Home: 1-2; Away: 3-7)
Field Goal % Opp. Field Goal % Rebounds Opp. Rebounds Assists Turnovers
45.5 (159th in nation) 42.3 (79th) 34.9 (52nd) 31.5 (215th) 13.5 (211th) 11.9 (262nd)
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