Illinois State at Northern Iowa

The Wichita Shockers have ruled the roost in the Missouri Valley Conference for the past few years, but this year they are being challenged in a big way by Northern Iowa. The Panthers made a statement by beating the Shockers by 16 at home in the only meeting this season and have moved into the national spotlight as they are currently the 12th ranked team in the country at 22-2 on the season. The Panthers are unbeaten here and have won five of their last six on home hardwood by nine points or more. Illinois State is 15-9 on the season and gave Northern Iowa all they could handle at home, before a disappointing one point loss. That will certainly have the Panthers focused for this one as the Panthers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 vs. a winning team. Illinois State is just 1-7 ATS in their last eight, all inside the conference. Make the play on Northern Iowa.