Will Illinois State cover vs. Wichita State in MVC Championship Game? 3/5/17

MVC Championship Game Prediction

Will Illinois State cover as an underdog today in St. Louis when it takes on Wichita State in the MVC Championship Game at 2:00PM ET?

According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Shockers are now 7-point favorites versus the Redbirds, who opened as a 9-point underdog. As for the total, the number has been bet down to 132.5 after opening at 135.

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Wichita State enters today's title game on a 14-game winning streak. That said, the Shockers failed to cover as a 17.5-point favorite in their second-round matchup with Missouri State on Saturday. They did win 78-63, but couldn't overcome an early deficit in terms of helping bettors cash at the window.

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Illinois State has been equally impressive, winning eight in a row and covering the spread in its last three games. That three-game winning streak at the betting window includes yesterday's 63-50 thumping of Southern Illinois as a 7.5-point favorite, as well as Friday's 80-69 win over Evansville as a 10.5-point favorite.

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OUR PREDICTION: For as good as the Shockers have been in the Missouri Valley, they've only won the MVC Tournament once, which was three years ago. They split with the Redbirds this season, losing by 14 in Normal on January 14 and then crushing Illinois State 86-45 three weeks later. That said, MiKyle McIntosh wasn't in the lineup that night for the Redbirds, who upset Wichita State in the semi-finals two years ago in St. Louis. The underdog has cashed in four of the last five games between these two teams and I like Illinois State to prevail for bettors again today.

MISSOURI VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTION: ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS +7