UNI Panthers vs Valparaiso Beacons Prediction, 1/4/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UNI Panthers vs Valparaiso Beacons

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025

Location: Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, IN

TV: ESPN+

The Valparaiso Beacons (8-6) will play the UNI Panthers (9-5) at Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday.

The UNI Panthers played Belmont and took home the win by a score of 76-70 in their last game. UNI finished with a 45.3% FG percentage (29 of 64) and knocked down 3 out of their 18 shots from beyond the perimeter. At the free throw line, the Panthers made 15 of 23 tries for a rate of 65.2%. When discussing hauling in rebounds, they earned 41 with 8 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 7 assists in the game as well as creating 9 turnovers and earning 7 steals. With regard to the defense, UNI allowed the other team to go 39.3% from the floor on 24 of 61 shooting. Belmont dished out 17 dimes and had 3 steals in this matchup. Furthermore, Belmont pulled down 36 rebounds (4 offensive, 32 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. Belmont finished the game at 58.8% at the free throw line by making 10 of 17 tries. They also buried 12 of 39 shots from long range. In regard to fouls, the Panthers ended up finishing with 16 and Belmont finished the game with 22 fouls.

Tytan Anderson is a guy who had an impact for the contest. He ended up going 46.2% from the field but had no dimes when the game ended. He was on the court for 28 mins played and pulled down 2 boards. He accounted for 18 points on 6 of 13 shooting.

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UNI will enter this matchup with a mark of 9-5 this year. They cough up possession 10.5 times per contest and as a group they are committing 14.5 fouls on a nightly basis. As a unit, UNI is pulling down 33.6 rebounds per contest and is sitting with 211 dimes for the year, which is 111th in the nation in terms of passing the rock. The Panthers are connecting on 38.2% on 3-point shots (102 of 267) and 71.2% from the charity stripe. They are averaging 77.9 points per game (128th in the nation) while hitting 51.7% from the field.

When they are on defense, the Panthers are able to force 12.1 turnovers per contest while drawing 16.6 fouls. They are currently ranked 79th in Division 1 in giving up assists to their opponents with 151 surrendered so far this year. The Panthers defensively are allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 43.1% (343 of 795) and they surrender 30.9 boards per game as a squad. They are relinquishing 31.1% on 3-point attempts and they are 77th in college in PPG allowed (66.6).

When they last stepped on the court, the Valparaiso Beacons went home victorious with a score of 73-72 when they faced Missouri State. The Beacons collected 13 defensive rebounds and 5 offensive boards for a total of 18 in this contest. They turned the ball over 8 times, while getting 8 steals for this contest. Missouri State committed 13 fouls in the game which took the Beacons to the free throw line for a total of 15 shots. They were able to make 11 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 73.3%. In reference to three-point shots, Valparaiso buried 6 of 18 attempts (33.3%). Overall, the Beacons finished shooting 28 out of 53 from the field which had them shooting 52.8%. The Beacons allowed Missouri State to convert 29 of their 50 attempts from the floor which had them shooting 58.0% in this matchup. They finished the game shooting 44.4% from three-point range by shooting 8 of 18 and ended up going 6 of 16 at the charity stripe (37.5%). Concerning team rebounding, Valparaiso permitted Missouri State to pull down 25 overall (9 on the offensive glass).

Cooper Schwieger ended up having an impact for the Beacons for the contest. He recorded 22 points in his 26 mins of playing time, but wrapped up this contest with no dimes. He converted 8 out of 14 in this matchup giving him a rate of 57.1%, and earned 1 rebound.

Valparaiso has a mark of 8-6 for the season. The Beacons are committing 16.4 fouls every game and they go 79.6% from the charity stripe. They are dishing out assists 12.7 times per game (276th in the country) and they are turning it over 10.4 times per game. Valparaiso has totaled 1,113 points on the season (79.5 per contest) and they collect 37.2 boards per game. As an offensive unit, the Beacons are shooting 44.1% from the field, which has them ranked 240th in the nation.

The Beacons are ranked 219th in college in points per game surrendered with 72.4. They have forced 12.2 turnovers per game and have let teams shoot 45.2% from the floor (286th in D-1). The Valparaiso defense surrenders 32.8% on 3-point shots (97 of 296) and opponents are knocking down 68.2% of their foul shots. They concede 12.1 dimes and 33.6 rebounds on a nightly basis, which is ranked 108th and 144th in the country.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take UNI

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