Southern Illinois vs Illinois State Picks and Prediction – 1/5/2025

The Southern Illinois Salukis will be on the road Sunday with a game in Normal, IL against Illinois State. Southern Illinois has struggled this season with five wins through nine games played riding a three-game skid into Sunday following a 15 point loss at home against Evansville last time out. Offensively Southern Illinois has been mediocre averaging 72.3 points on 44.1% from the floor. Defensively Southern Illinois has struggled a bit allowing 74.6 points per game overall despite giving up to 68 last time out. Stay in the action with our College Basketball Picks.

Ali Dibba leads Southern Illinois this season averaging 15.1 points per game. Kennard Davis Jr. is second on the team averaging 14.2 points to go along with a team leading 2.4 assists. Elijah Elliott has averaged 14 points per game but has played in just five games this season, while Sheridan Sharp has averaged 6 points but has played just nine times this year. Jared Hensley is 4th on the team averaging 10.3 points to go along with the team leading 6.2 rebounds per game.

The Illinois State Redbirds stay home Sunday with 9 wins through 14 games played having won four of the last five following six point victory on the road against Murray State last time out. Offensively Illinois State has been solid enough this season averaging 78.7 points on 49.1% shooting from the floor. Defensively the Redbirds have held their own allowing 72 points per game overall this season and gave up to 68 in their most recent victory.

Chase Walker leads Illinois State this season averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Johnny Kinziger averages 14.1 points and Ty Pence chips in 9.3 points per game good enough for 4th on the roster. Dalton Banks is the third player on the team in double digits averaging 10.6 points to go along with the team high 4.1 assists.

Illinois State is the better team in this game playing the better basketball coming into Sunday. Take the Redbirds to do the work on both sides of the ball leading to the win. Take Illinois State Sunday to do the work to get the win and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Illinois State Redbirds win and cover 76-63.