Who's Playing

Illinois State @ Indiana State

Current Records: Illinois State 11-14; Indiana State 10-14

What to Know

A Missouri Valley battle is on tap between the Indiana State Sycamores and the Illinois State Redbirds at 1 p.m. ET Saturday at Hulman Center. The two teams each escaped (but just barely!) with wins against their previous opponents.

Indiana State came out on top in a nail-biter against the Evansville Aces on Thursday, sneaking past 80-77. Guard Cooper Neese took over for the Sycamores, finishing with 35 points (a whopping 44% of their total) in addition to six rebounds.

Speaking of close games: on Wednesday Illinois State sidestepped the Valparaiso Beacons for a 78-75 victory. Illinois State's guard Antonio Reeves looked sharp as he shot 5-for-8 from downtown and finished with 34 points. Reeves' performance made up for a slower matchup against the Southern Illinois Salukis on Saturday.

Barring any buzzer beaters, Indiana State is expected to win a tight contest. They have failed bettors playing the spread in their past five games, so buyers beware.

Their wins bumped Indiana State to 10-14 and the Redbirds to 11-14. Neese will be someone to keep an eye on after he shot 5-for-11 from beyond the arc and finished with 35 points and six boards on Thursday. Let's see if he can build on that strong performance or if Illinois State's defense can bottle him up.

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday at 1 p.m. ET
  • Where: Hulman Center -- Terre Haute, Indiana
  • Follow: CBS Sports App

Odds

The Sycamores are a slight 2.5-point favorite against the Redbirds, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Sycamores as a 3-point favorite.

Over/Under: -110

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Series History

Indiana State and Illinois State both have seven wins in their last 14 games.

  • Jan 17, 2021 - Indiana State 74 vs. Illinois State 68
  • Jan 16, 2021 - Indiana State 73 vs. Illinois State 65
  • Feb 08, 2020 - Illinois State 74 vs. Indiana State 67
  • Jan 11, 2020 - Indiana State 65 vs. Illinois State 52
  • Feb 20, 2019 - Indiana State 73 vs. Illinois State 50
  • Jan 27, 2019 - Illinois State 76 vs. Indiana State 62
  • Mar 02, 2018 - Illinois State 77 vs. Indiana State 70
  • Jan 20, 2018 - Indiana State 84 vs. Illinois State 54
  • Dec 31, 2017 - Illinois State 84 vs. Indiana State 81
  • Jan 25, 2017 - Illinois State 71 vs. Indiana State 66
  • Jan 07, 2017 - Illinois State 77 vs. Indiana State 58
  • Mar 04, 2016 - Indiana State 65 vs. Illinois State 57
  • Feb 17, 2016 - Illinois State 78 vs. Indiana State 50
  • Jan 09, 2016 - Indiana State 77 vs. Illinois State 65

Injury Report for Indiana State

  • Tyreke Key: Out for the Season (Shoulder)

Injury Report for Illinois State

  • Howard Fleming Jr.: Game-Time Decision (Hip)
  • Emon Washington: Out (Undisclosed)
  • Sy Chatman: Out for the Season (Knee)