The Illinois State Redbirds will take on the North Dakota State Bison at the Scheels Center in Fargo, ND. This game is part of the regular season, featuring a non-conference matchup between the Missouri Valley and Summit conferences. Illinois State comes into this game with a record of 1-2, while North Dakota State holds a 1-3 record.
In their recent games, Illinois State secured a significant home win against Central State, scoring 100 points. Johnny Kinziger has been a key player, contributing consistently in their games. Meanwhile, North Dakota State faced a tough loss against Bakersfield, despite a strong performance from Rob Diaz III.
Illinois State enters this game as the favorite with a spread of -2.5. North Dakota State will look to leverage their home court advantage to turn their season around. The over/under for the game is set at 147.5, hinting at a potentially high-scoring contest.
North Dakota State vs Illinois State At a Glance
- Game Location: Scheels Center, Fargo ND
- Game Date & Time: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: Summ
- Illinois State Record: 1-2 for the 2027 season
- North Dakota State Record: 1-3 for the 2027 season
- Point Spread: Illinois State -2.5
North Dakota State Bison Set for Their Next Challenge
Offensive Overview
North Dakota State scores an average of 76.0 points per game. They take around 63.8 field goal attempts each game, which ranks them 154th in attempts. Their shooting accuracy sits at 42.4 percent.
The team attempts 29.5 three-pointers per game, making 10 of them. This gives them a 33.9 percent success rate from beyond the arc. Their free throw shooting percentage is 67.6, and they make 12.0 free throws per game.
Defensive Strategy
The Bison have shown defensive skills with 8.5 steals per game, ranking them 353rd. They manage to block 1.8 shots per game, which stands at 93rd in the rankings. They commit 16.0 fouls per game.
Turnovers have been a concern, as they average 11.5 per game. This is an area they will aim to improve in the coming games. Rebounding is another focus, with an average of 34.0 per game.
Key Players
Rob Diaz III is a standout with 14.0 points per game. He also contributes with 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Riley Massey follows closely with 11.5 points and a field goal percentage of 50.0.
Andrew Nagy is essential in the paint with 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Max Iversen adds 10.5 points, showing accuracy with a shooting percentage of 46.4.
Recent Performance
In their latest game, North Dakota State scored 80 points against Bakersfield but fell short. Diaz III and Massey were key contributors in this game. Despite their efforts, they lost by 11 points.
Prior to that, they faced San Francisco and scored 70 points. They ended up losing by 9, despite strong performances from Diaz III and Massey once again.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-3
- SU Last 5: 1-3
- SU All Games: 1-3
- ATS Last 3: 0-3
- ATS All Games: 0-3-1
- O/U All Games: 3-0
Illinois State Redbirds Ready for Action
Offensive Performance
The Redbirds average 81.3 points per game. They rank 170th in points per game among college teams. This shows their capacity to put up points consistently.
They take about 53.3 field goal attempts per game, placing them at 463rd. Despite fewer attempts, their field goal percentage is an impressive 52.5%. They rank 33rd in this category.
Three-Point Shooting
From beyond the arc, the Redbirds make 11.3 three-pointers per game. This ranks them 45th in the nation. Their three-point shooting percentage is 41.5%, placing them at 42nd.
They attempt 27.3 three-point shots per game, which is 158th in the rankings. Their effective field goal percentage is at 63.1%. This ranks 17th and highlights their shooting efficiency.
Defense and Rebounding
Defensively, the Redbirds average 7.0 steals per game. This ranks them 230th. They also average 1.7 blocks per game, ranking 84th.
On the boards, they collect 28.3 rebounds per game. This is quite low, ranking them 447th. Rebounding may be an area for potential improvement.
Key Players
Johnny Kinziger leads with 19.3 points per game. He shoots 62.5% from the field, showing strong efficiency. Malik Messina-Moore follows with 15.0 points per game.
Demarion Burch adds 8.0 points per game. His field goal percentage stands at 56.2%. Mason Klabo contributes 7.7 points, playing a key role in the backcourt.
Recent Game Highlights
In their last game, the Redbirds scored 59 points against Purdue. Johnny Kinziger and Noah Cleveland both scored 12 points. Against Central State, they scored 100 points, showing strong offensive potential.
In the close loss against Saint Mary's, they put up 85 points. Johnny Kinziger was a standout with 30 points. The team displayed resilience in a tight contest.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU as Underdog: 0-2 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-1-1 (33.3%)
- ATS as Underdog: 1-1 (50.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
North Dakota State vs Illinois State Prediction: Illinois State -2.5
Illinois State is favored by 2.5 points in their game against North Dakota State. The Redbirds have shown strong offensive capabilities, with a high field goal percentage and effective scoring from three-point range. North Dakota State has struggled both straight up and against the spread, with no ATS wins in their recent games.
North Dakota State has been facing challenges, especially when playing away. Their shooting percentage and offensive production fall short compared to Illinois State. The Redbirds' ability to convert on offense should give them the edge on their home court.
Historically, Illinois State has performed well against North Dakota State, winning the last two meetings by an average of 9.5 points. Given their offensive strengths and past performance, Illinois State is likely to cover the spread. Expect them to leverage their efficient shooting to secure the win.
The projected final score for the game is Illinois State 80, North Dakota State 72. This margin supports taking Illinois State -2.5 as the favored pick in this matchup.
- North Dakota State vs Illinois State Prediction: Illinois State -2.5
- North Dakota State vs Illinois State Score: Illinois State 80 - North Dakota State 72
Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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