Friday’s game between the Northern Iowa Panthers (15-14) and Illinois State Redbirds (21-10) matching up at Vibrant Arena at the Mark has a projected final score of 73-70 (according to our computer prediction) in favor of Northern Iowa, who is listed as a slight favorite by our model. The game will begin at 3:30 PM ET on March 15.

The Panthers are coming off of a 67-46 victory over Evansville in their most recent outing on Saturday.

In their last matchup on Saturday, the Panthers secured a 67-46 win against Evansville. In their most recent game on Thursday, the Redbirds claimed an 85-64 win against Evansville. In the victory, Maya McDermott paced the Panthers with 17 points. Shannon Dowell scored a team-high 14 points for the Redbirds in the victory.

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Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Game Info

• When: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET
• Where: Vibrant Arena at the Mark in Moline, Illinois

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Northern Iowa vs. Illinois State Score Prediction

• Prediction:
  Northern Iowa 73, Illinois State 70

Northern Iowa Schedule Analysis

• The Panthers’ signature victory of the season came against the Green Bay Phoenix, a top 50 team (No. 48), according to our computer rankings. The Panthers registered the 78-67 home win on November 6.
• Northern Iowa has tied for the 17th-most Quadrant 2 defeats in the country (six).

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Northern Iowa 2023-24 Best Wins

• 78-67 at home over Green Bay (No. 48) on November 6
• 95-75 at home over Murray State (No. 95) on January 19
• 89-87 on the road over Murray State (No. 95) on February 17
• 74-47 at home over Illinois State (No. 114) on February 8
• 61-52 at home over UIC (No. 170) on March 2

Illinois State Schedule Analysis

• When the Redbirds took down the Drake Bulldogs, the No. 52 team in our computer rankings, by a score of 79-70 on January 27, it was their best win of the year so far.
• Illinois State has tied for the 30th-most Quadrant 2 losses in the nation (five).

Illinois State 2023-24 Best Wins

• 79-70 at home over Drake (No. 52) on January 27
• 88-77 at home over Northern Iowa (No. 82) on January 25
• 85-75 at home over Murray State (No. 95) on March 7
• 85-78 at home over Missouri State (No. 103) on January 14
• 87-81 at home over Saint Louis (No. 166) on December 19

Northern Iowa Leaders

• McDermott: 15.9 PTS, 1.1 STL, 43.3 FG%, 33.1 3PT% (47-for-142)
• Grace Boffeli: 15.3 PTS, 8.9 REB, 47.9 FG%, 28.6 3PT% (8-for-28)
• Kayba Laube: 9.6 PTS, 1.2 STL, 43.5 FG%, 42.5 3PT% (71-for-167)
• Ryley Goebel: 5.3 PTS, 1.5 STL, 1.5 BLK, 56.5 FG%
• Shateah Wetering: 6.4 PTS, 45 FG%, 33.3 3PT% (14-for-42)

Illinois State Leaders

• Kate Bullman: 7.6 PTS, 7.8 REB, 2 BLK, 38.7 FG%, 37.9 3PT% (36-for-95)
• Deanna Wilson: 14.8 PTS, 7.1 REB, 48 FG%, 23.1 3PT% (3-for-13)
• Maya Wong: 11.7 PTS, 47.7 FG%, 39.6 3PT% (38-for-96)
• Dowell: 9.2 PTS, 49.5 FG%, 33.3 3PT% (10-for-30)
• Abbie Aalsma: 7.5 PTS, 41.7 FG%, 37.4 3PT% (52-for-139)

Northern Iowa Performance Insights

• The Panthers outscore opponents by 3.5 points per game (scoring 73.2 points per game to rank 57th in college basketball while giving up 69.7 per contest to rank 290th in college basketball) and have a +103 scoring differential overall.
• Northern Iowa is tallying 77.7 points per game this season in conference contests, which is 4.5 more points per game than its overall average (73.2).
• The Panthers are putting up 74.8 points per game when playing at home. In road games, they are averaging 73.7 points per contest.
• Defensively, Northern Iowa has played better in home games this season, ceding 66.6 points per game, compared to 72.5 in road games.
• The Panthers’ offense has been better over their last 10 games, racking up 77.9 points per contest compared to the 73.2 they’ve averaged this year.

Illinois State Performance Insights

• The Redbirds have a +215 scoring differential, topping opponents by seven points per game. They’re putting up 74.7 points per game, 38th in college basketball, and are allowing 67.7 per contest to rank 255th in college basketball.
• Illinois State has averaged 3.5 fewer points in MVC play (71.2) than overall (74.7).
• In 2023-24 the Redbirds are scoring 14.1 more points per game at home (80.7) than away (66.6).
• In 2023-24 Illinois State is allowing 3.8 fewer points per game at home (66.2) than away (70).
• The Redbirds are posting 72.8 points per contest in their last 10 games, which is 1.9 fewer points than their average for the season (74.7).

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