Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Dunkel Predictions & Vegas Odds - Feb. 25

The Northern Iowa Panthers (18-11, 10-8 MVC) host the Illinois State Redbirds (18-11, 10-8 MVC) at McLeod Center, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The Redbirds are 4.5-point underdogs in the game. The matchup has an over/under of 131.5 points.

In its most recent game on Saturday, Northern Iowa suffered a 59-57 loss to Southern Illinois. In Northern Iowa's loss, Trey Campbell led the way with a team-high 16 points (adding two rebounds and two assists). Illinois State's most recent outing was a 74-60 loss to Bradley on Saturday. Illinois State got a team-best 12 points from Mason Klabo in the loss.

Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Odds and Game Time

• When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• Where: McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa
• Spread favorite: Northern Iowa -4.5
• Moneyline favorite: Northern Iowa -235
• Moneyline underdog: Illinois State +188
• Over/Under: 131.5 points

How to watch Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State

• TV Channel: ESPNU
• Check out the rest of our Dunkel Index NCAA Basketball Picks!

Betting the Over/Under: Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State

• Northern Iowa and its opponents have hit the over on this game's total (131.5 points) 12 times this season.
• This season, 23 games Illinois State has played finished with a combined score over 131.5 points.
• Together, the two teams combine for 145 points per game, 13.5 points more than the total of 131.5 for this matchup.
• These two teams surrender a combined 129.1 points per game, 2.4 less than this contest's over/under.
• On average, the over/under in Northern Iowa's games is 1.3 fewer points than the over/under of 131.5 in this matchup.
• A difference of 12.4 points separates the average over/under in Illinois State's games (143.9 points) and this game's over/under (131.5).

Betting the Spread: Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State

• In Northern Iowa's 27 games this year, it has 14 wins against the spread.
• So far this season, the Panthers have been installed as favorites by a 4.5-point margin or more 15 times and are 9-6 ATS in those games.
• In Illinois State's 28 games this year, it has 15 wins against the spread.
• The Redbirds have been underdogs by 4.5 points or more four times this year and covered the spread once.
• At home this year, Northern Iowa is 7-8 against the spread and 11-4 overall.
• At home, as a 4.5-point favorite or greater, Northern Iowa is 5-6 ATS.
• Away from home, Illinois State is 4-7 overall and 3-8 against the spread.
• Illinois State is winless ATS (0-4) as 4.5-point underdogs or more on the road.

Betting the Moneyline: Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State

• Northern Iowa has entered the game as moneyline favorites 21 times this season and won 14, or 66.7%, of those games.
• The Panthers are 11-2 this season when entering a game favored by -235 or more on the moneyline.
• The implied probability of a win from Northern Iowa, based on the moneyline, is 70.1%.
• Illinois State has been a moneyline underdog in eight games this season and has come away with the win two times (25%) in those contests.
• The Redbirds have yet to win this season when listed as an underdog of +188 or worse on the moneyline this season.
• Illinois State has an implied victory probability of 34.7% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.