CBI CHAMPIONSHIP
ILLINOIS STATE vs. CLEVELAND STATE (ILLST -2.5, 141.5)
ILLINOIS STATE ML
Illinois State beat Incarnate Word last night. We just missed our Quick Pick on the Under. The Redbirds hit four free throws in the final 20 seconds of the game to push the total Over. Cleveland State beat Florida Gulf Coast by hitting some free throws of their own. The Vikings hit four free throws in the last 14 seconds of the game and 20-of-23 for the night in a 72-65 victory.
Now, the two teams meet for the CBI championship. Both teams have plenty of experience with three seniors among each of their rotational players. The difference tonight is likely Illinois State's Chase Walker. He's big (6-9, 275) and tough to defend. Walker averages 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Last night, he shot 10-of-16 from the floor and hit 7-of-11 free throws for a game-high 27 points.
Cleveland State is a good defensive team, but they'll have trouble matching up with Walker. I think the Vikings can keep it close, so we'll play the Redbirds on the moneyline.
NIT QUARTERFINAL
UAB @ UC-IRVINE (UCI -4.5, 159.5)
UNDER 159.5
UAB plays an up-tempo style of basketball that is going to clash with UC-Irvine's defense tonight. The Anteaters are a top 20 defense in a number of categories including Opponent 2PT FG Percentage and Opponent Effective FG Percentage. UC-Irvine holds teams to 65.6 points per game. That's 29th-best in the nation.
Both teams can score. UAB averages 83 points per game, but with a trip to the NIT semifinals on the line expect more deliberate approaches on offense from both teams. The Under is 4-2 in UAB's last 6 games and 8-4 in UC-Irvine's last 12. I don't think these teams can get to 160 tonight.
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