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The Illinois Fighting Illini host the Valparaiso Crusaders in the first round of the NIT Tournament in a game that will take place at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois at 7:15 PM ET. The college basketball betting board lists Illinois as a large -8.5 favorite on the point spread line with the total offered at 139.5 up three points from the opener.
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Valparaiso is coming off a 43-41 loss to Milwaukee in their last game where they failed to cover the spread as a 9-point favorite. The total number of points scored in the game was 84, which was well under the closing line of 135.5. The Crusaders have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games, including their last two, and previous to the Milwaukee game the total had gone over in two straight games. Valparaiso has lost two straight games.
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Illinois is coming off a 75-55 loss to Michigan in their last game where they failed to cover the spread as a 5-point underdog. The total number of points scored in the game was 130, which was under the closing line of 133. The Fighting Illini have failed to cover the spread in their last two games after doing so in four in a row and in five of their last six games, including their last two, the total has gone under. Illinois has also lost two straight games.
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Offensively, Valparaiso is putting up 75.3 points per game on a 44.6% FG average. On the defensive side of things the Crusaders are allowing 68.5 points per game on a 41% FG average.
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Illinois is putting up 71.8 points per game on a 44.4% FG average. On defense the Fighting Illini are allowing 69.9 points per game on a 44.2% FG average.
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These teams met in the 2013 season where Illinois beat Valparaiso 64-52.
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<h2>
Valparaiso Crusaders at Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends<br />
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Valparaiso is 2-5 against the spread in their last 7 games overall.
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The Crusaders are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 road games.
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The game total has gone over in the 4 of Valparaiso’s last 5 road games.
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Illinois is 4-2 against the spread in their last 6 games overall.
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The Fighting Illini are 8-4 against the spread in their last 12 road games.
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Public Money Consensus<br />
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In this NCAAB matchup between Valparaiso and Illinois have the public leaning slightly to the visiting Crusaders getting the 8.5 points with 51%. The over/under bettors are leaning to this game going over the posted total line of 138 with 57% on board.
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