Who's Playing

Ball State @ Illinois State

Current Records: Ball State 4-5; Illinois State 6-5

What to Know

The Illinois State Redbirds will stay at home another game and welcome the Ball State Cardinals at 4 p.m. ET Dec. 18 at Redbird Arena. These two teams seek to continue their momentum from their previous wins.

The Redbirds didn't have too much trouble with the Quincy Hawks at home on Tuesday as they won 81-63.

Meanwhile, Ball State made easy work of the Indiana-Kokomo Cougars on Sunday and carried off an 85-58 win.

Illinois State is the favorite in this one, with an expected 5.5-point margin of victory. But bettors beware: they are 0-3-1 against the spread when favored.

Illinois State is now 6-5 while Ball State sits at 4-5. Two defensive numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Illinois State is stumbling into the matchup with the sixth most points allowed per game in college basketball, having given up 79.2 on average. The Cardinals have had an even harder time: they are fourth worst in college basketball in points allowed per game, with 79.7 on average. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 4 p.m. ET
  • Where: Redbird Arena -- Normal, Illinois
  • Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
  • Follow: CBS Sports App

Odds

The Redbirds are a solid 5.5-point favorite against the Cardinals, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 5.5-point spread, and stayed right there.

Over/Under: -110

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Series History

Ball State won the only game these two teams have played in the last seven years.

  • Dec 12, 2020 - Ball State 82 vs. Illinois State 66