As the college basketball season heats up, Evansville is in desperate need of a quality win to boost their tournament chances, but it won't be easy against an Illinois State team that's been performing well in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Redbirds, with a NET ranking of 81, are looking to build on their 15-8 record and strengthen their own tournament resume. Evansville, on the other hand, is struggling with a 5-19 record and a NET ranking of 296, making this matchup a Quad 3 game for the Purple Aces and a Quad 4 game for the Redbirds.
Illinois State's Perfect Quad 4 Record
Key Matchups
The CHD Scout prediction doesn't bode well for Evansville, favoring Illinois State by 17.1 points, with the Purple Aces having only an 8.4% chance of winning. This significant margin is a reflection of the Redbirds' strong performance this season, particularly in Quad 3 and Quad 4 games. Illinois State's ability to win against teams in these quadrants matters in bolstering their tournament chances.
CHD Scout Prediction
Illinois State
78
Evansville
61
Tournament Stakes
Given the significant gap in talent and recent form, it's likely that Illinois State will come out on top. The Redbirds' experience and skill will probably prove too much for Evansville to handle, especially considering the Purple Aces' recent three-game losing streak.