COLLEGE BASKETBALL – TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2009
#20 Northern Iowa Panthers (13-4) vs. Wichita State Shockers (16-3)
The Wichita State Shockers will host the Northern Iowa Panthers in Missouri Valley action on Tuesday night at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
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The last time these two teams met the Shockers downed the Panthers 69-61 on Feb 14, 2009.
The Shockers lost their conference opener then went on a five game tear before falling to Creighton 57-56 on Saturday. Toure’ Murry scored a game-high 16 points in the loss. Wichita State will now have a chance to prove they are for real as they face off against the MVC leader Northern Iowa. The Shockers have proven they can win the “big” games with wins over TCU and Mississippi State. They will need to play championship-level offense and defense if they want to be considered as a legitimate contender for a division title. They are dominant at home and will need to improve on the road if they want to be near the top come the end of February.
The Panthers won’t make it easy for them. They are 7-0 since starting conference play including a 62-40 routing of Indiana State on Saturday night. Adam Koch scored 13 points in Iowa’s 15th straight victory. Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Johnny Moran contributed 11 points each for the Panthers in the win. UNI went 11-1 a season ago but then lost three of four to allow Creighton to rally and earn a share of the MVC title. Don’t count on the Panthers repeating that mistake. Their stingy defense leads the MVC by allowing 54.9 points a game. Opponents shoot 40.2 percent against the Panthers. Teams that play defense like they do aren’t apt to go on extended losing streaks, or missing out on sole possession of the division crown.
The odds makers have the Panthers as +3 ½ -point underdogs in this one.
UNI’s conservative approach will force the Shockers to try to create fast break transitions forcing the Panthers out of their rhythm.
If they are successful, I expect the Shockers to get out in front early in this one, winning by seven.
Northern Iowa Panthers Basketball Betting Trends:
- Northern Iowa is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
- Northern Iowa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northern Iowa’s last 8 games
- Northern Iowa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Wichita State Shockers Basketball Betting Trends:
- Wichita State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Wichita State is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wichita State’s last 7 games
- Wichita State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
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