On Tuesday, the Missouri State Bears (7-12) face off against the Northern Iowa Panthers (11-8) at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Northern Iowa comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak and has dropped three of their last five games. In a recent game where Northern Iowa faced Southern Illinois, the Panthers fell short with a final score of 73-49. During the match-up, Tytan Anderson, a standout player for Northern Iowa, contributed 9 points. Throughout the current season, Anderson has been the team's top scorer, maintaining an impressive average of 14.4 points per game. Following closely is Jacob Hutson, who secures his position as the second-highest scorer with an average of 11.7 points per game. Beyond his scoring capabilities, Tytan Anderson also excels in rebounding, leading Northern Iowa with an average of 6.3 rebounds per game. When it comes to playmaking, Trey Campbell holds the team’s top spot in assists, delivering an average of 2.9 assists per game this season. Looking at their recent performance, the Panthers have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score an average of 72.8 points over their last five games. As they aim to break their current losing streak, Northern Iowa is eager to secure their sixth victory in conference play. On average, the Panthers manage to generate 75.7 points per game, reflecting their offensive efforts throughout the season.

Missouri State enters this game on a seven-game losing streak. In their recent 74-68 defeat against Illinois State, Dez White put on an impressive performance by scoring 24 points for the Missouri State Bears. Throughout this season, White has been a standout player, leading his team in scoring with an average of 15.8 points per game. Following closely is Vincent Brady II, the Bears' second-highest scorer, who is averaging 13.8 points per game. On the defensive end, Missouri State's top rebounder, Michael Osei-Bonsu, has been pulling down an average of 7.1 rebounds per game. Additionally, Dez White also contributes significantly in playmaking, leading the team with an average of 2.8 assists per game. Recently, Missouri State's defense has struggled, conceding an average of 76.8 points over their last five matches. The Bears are under pressure to break their slump, as they aim to avoid a ninth consecutive conference loss when they travel to Cedar Falls for a matchup against Northern Iowa. Overall, Missouri State scores an average of 70.1 points per game, reflecting their efforts on the offensive end this season.

College Basketball Best Bets and Odds for January 4, 2025