Northern Iowa vs Valparaiso Picks and Prediction – 1/4/2025

The Northern Iowa Panthers (9-5, 3-0 MVC) are set to face the Valparaiso Beacons (8-6, 1-2 MVC) on January 4, 2025, at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 PM EST and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Get in on the action with our free NCAAB picks.

Northern Iowa enters this matchup on a two-game winning streak, boasting a 3-0 record in Missouri Valley Conference play for the first time since the 2009-10 season. The Panthers are among the nation's top shooting teams, ranking third in Division I with a 51.7% field goal percentage and 12th in effective field goal percentage at 58.3%. Key players include Tytan Anderson, leading the team with 13.8 points per game and 6.1 rebounds, and Jacob Hutson, contributing 13.1 points per game and nearing the 500-point milestone in his career. 

Valparaiso is coming off a thrilling 73-72 victory over Missouri State, marking their first conference win of the season. The Beacons excel at the free-throw line, leading the MVC and ranking 13th nationally with a 79.6% free-throw percentage. They also take care of the ball well, committing a league-low 10.4 turnovers per game. Forward Cooper Schwieger leads Valparaiso with 14.2 points and seven rebounds per game, while Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro adds 12.4 points per game and leads the conference in made free throws. 

Usually we love to back a great free throw shooting team at home. However, UNI is too good to ignore, and they also shoot the ball decently well at the line. We think UNI is just s tep above Valpo and will win a tight contest. Prediction: UNI wins 77-71.