Two teams in search of an unexpected automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will face off today as the Northern Iowa Panthers take on the Illinois-Chicago Flames in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
This is a battle of two defensive-minded teams that aren’t afraid to sit on the ball, and I’m taking the Under in my Northern Iowa vs. Illinois-Chicago predictions and college basketball picks below.
UIC vs Northern Iowa prediction
Who will win UIC vs Northern Iowa?
While neither team expected to be in the final today, Northern Iowa has been the better team this season.
UIC vs Northern Iowa best bet
UIC vs Northern Iowa best bet: Under 123.5 (-110)
The Northern Iowa Panthers have been elite defensively this year. They're allowing 61.0 ppg, the lowest total in the country, with opponents shooting just 40.6% from the field and 28.4% from three.
Even considering strength of schedule, KenPom has the Panthers as No. 22 in the nation in defensive rating.
However, the Panthers only score 69.5 ppg, and the UIC Flames are no slouch on defense either, holding opponents to that same 69.5 ppg mark. With a March Madness bid on the line, I’m expecting the defensive intensity to ratchet up even further, making the Under the best bet this afternoon.
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UIC vs Northern Iowa same-game parlay
The Panthers should get the win against the Flames, a team they’ve beaten outright in six of their last eight meetings. Trey Campbell (13.4 ppg) has been the leading scorer for UNI this season, and I’m also taking him to score Over 12.5 points, a number he’s hit in four of his last six games.
UIC vs Northern Iowa SGP
- Under 123.5
- Northern Iowa moneyline
- Trey Campbell Over 12.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Bond.... Leon Bond
While Campbell has been the most consistent scorer for Northern Iowa this year, it’s Leon Bond who has led the way for the Panthers in the MVC Tournament, scoring 19 points in each of his last two games. For my lottery SGP, I’ll take Northern Iowa to cover and Bond to hit both his scoring and rebounding props in the tournament final on Sunday.
UIC vs Northern Iowa SGP
- Northern Iowa -3.5
- Under 123.5
- Leon Bond III Over 11.5 points
- Leon Bond III Over 3.5 rebounds
UIC vs Northern Iowa odds
- Spread: UIC +3.5 | Northern Iowa -3.5
- Moneyline: UIC +145 | Northern Iowa -170
- Over/Under: Over 123.5 | Under 123.5
UIC vs Northern Iowa betting trend to know
The Under is 5-2 in UIC's last seven games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for UIC vs. Northern Iowa.
How to watch UIC vs Northern Iowa
| Location | Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO |
| Date | Sunday, March 8, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
UIC vs Northern Iowa key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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