UIC Flames (9-10) vs. Valparaiso Beacons (7-12)
January 17, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Valparaiso Beacons -3 / UIC Flames +3; Over/Under: +136
(Get latest betting odds)
The UIC Flames and Valparaiso Crusaders meet Tuesday in college basketball action at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The UIC Flames Preview
The UIC Flames are averaging 66.8 points on 41.2 percent shooting and allowing 69.8 points on 44.2 percent shooting. Jace Carter is averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds, while Toby Oakani is averaging 12.2 points and 1.9 assists. Trevante Anderson is the third double-digit scorer and Filip Skobalj is grabbing 1.7 rebounds. The UIC Flames are shooting 31.9 percent from beyond the arc and 66.5 percent from the free throw line. The UIC Flames are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 27.8 rebounds per game.
The Valparaiso Crusaders Preview
The Valparaiso Crusaders are averaging 68.1 points on 43.6 percent shooting and allowing 73.7 points on 45.3 percent shooting. Ben Krikke is averaging 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds, while Kobe King is averaging 16.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. Quinton Green is the third double-digit scorer and Nick Edwards is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The Valparaiso Crusaders are shooting 29.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.9 percent from the free throw line. The Valparaiso Crusaders are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.7 rebounds per game.
UIC Flames and Valparaiso Crusaders Trends
The Flames are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Beacons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games overall. The over is 15-6 in Flames last 21 road games. The under is 3-1-1 in Beacons last 5 home games. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
Both teams are in absolute brutal form over the last week, and I’m not excited to get behind either team. With that said, Valparaiso is at least at home here and that should be the difference. The UIC Flames lose on the road by an average of 14.5 points while shooting 39.6 percent from the field. UIC loses in the underdog role by an average of 14.7 points. I’ll lay the bucket.
