Valparaiso at Indiana State 1/23/19 - NCAAB Picks & Predictions

The Valparaiso Crusaders (12 - 7, 5 - 1 CONF) are drawing a tough road matchup this week as they take on the Indiana State Sycamores (10 - 8, 2 - 4 CONF). Indiana State will be hosting this game at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, IN. Valparaiso comes into this matchup riding high as the Crusaders have won four of their past five games. Indiana State has been struggling of late with the Sycamores dropping two straight matchups. Valparaiso will be slightly favored in this matchup.

Valparaiso takes the court with a team that has really turned up the intensity on defense. Valparaiso is surrendering just 67 PPG to opposing teams this season and the Crusaders have bested that number in four out of their past five games. On offense, Valparaiso follows the lead of Deion Lavender (8 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG) and he'll have to be solid for the Crusaders to get a win. Indiana State is averaging 70 PPG on offense this season while shooting 44% from the floor as a team. Jordan Barnes (17 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 APG) will be our player to highlight in this game. Barnes can be a dynamic scorer when his shot is falling and he could be the difference maker against Valparaiso. Defensively, Indiana State is surrendering 71 PPG to opposing squads so far this year.