Belmont Bruins (15-11) vs. UIC Flames (10-16)
February 18, 2024 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: UIC Flames +2.5; Over/Under: +153.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Belmont Bruins will play the UIC Flames in a MVC game on Sunday afternoon at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Belmont has won three games in a row, while UIC has won two of their last three. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Belmont vs UIC prediction.
Belmont Preview
The Belmont Bruins are 15-11 (8-7) this year after they defeated SIU by a score of 82-68 in their last game. Belmont led 37-31 at the half and they scored 45 points in the second half for the win. The Bruins shot 50% from the field and were -4 in rebounding margin in the game. Belmont defeated Valpo by a score of 96-78 and Murray State by a score of 69-64 in the two games prior to SIU. The Bruins are scoring 77.7 points per game with 33.2 rebounds per game and 15 assists per game, while allowing 77.5 points against per game this year. Malik Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game. Belmont is shooting 47.7% from the field, 72.4% on free throws, and 37% on three pointers this season.
UIC Preview
The UIC Flames are 10-16 (3-12) this season after they lost to Bradley by a score of 85-73 in their last game. UIC trailed 40-28 at halftime, but they did score 45 second half points in the loss. The Flames shot 45.8% from the field and made 10 three pointers in the game. UIC defeated UNI by a score of 71-65 and Illinois State by a score of 61-56 in the two games prior to Bradley. The Flames are scoring 69.3 points per game with 33.5 rebounds per game and 14 assists per game, while giving up 68.7 points against per game this season. Isaiah Rivera is averaging 14.9 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game. UIC is shooting 45% from the field, 66.9% on free throws, and 36.9% on three pointers this year.
Belmont vs UIC Betting Prediction
UIC comes into this game towards the bottom of the MVC standings, but they have won two of their last three games. The Flames are only 3-12 in conference play, but they are a decent defensive team. Belmont is 8-7 in the MVC and they have won three games in a row, while scoring 82 and 96 points in their last two wins. The Bruins do struggle on defense, where they are allowing 77.5 points against per game, but UIC isn’t a huge threat on offense. Belmont defeated UIC by a score of 74-65 in the first meeting and I think we see a similar result here. The Bruins offense is too good for UIC to slow down. Take Belmont in this game.
