This is a 10* MISSOURI VALLEY GAME OF THE YEAR on Illinois State.

For a number of different reasons I expect the home side to pull away down the stretch for the comfortable ATS cover. Evansville leads the MVC in scoring offense and field goal percentage, but I think will have its hands full today with the league's leader in rebounding margin and steals. The Redbirds come in with plenty of momentum after winning two straight and have in fact prevailed in four of their last five. Evansville on the other hand is coming in off its first loss in three games and I think this sets up as another classic letdown spot for it. If history is any precedence, then Illinois State has to be loving its chances as it's 18-3 vs. the Purple Aces at Redbird Arena. Both teams enter this game tied for fourth in the MVC and I simply can't understate how important I believe home court advantage will be in this matchup; note that both of last season's Illinois State vs. Evansville games ended in OT, with the home team prevailing on both occasions. Note that Evansville is just 2-3 ATS in its last five as a road dog in the 6.5 to 9 points range, while Illinois State is 20-18 ATS in its last 38 in front of the home town crowd. In my opinion, a great situational play on ILLINOIS STATE.

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