The LSU Tigers and the Illinois State Redbirds will square off in the opening game of the Power-Five Conference Island Classic, which begins Monday morning in Georgetown, Cayman Islands, and will feature eight teams.
The Redbirds, a member of the MVC, have a record of 2-2 coming into this meeting. The Tigers, a member of the SEC's Power Five conference, enter the season with a 3-0 record. The contest will start at 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time.
LSU vs Illinois State Betting Odds
$1,000 No Sweat First Bet with FanDuel Sportsbook
LSU vs Illinois State Match Details
Fixture: Redbirds at Tigers
Date and Time: Monday, November 21 at 11:00 am ET
Venue: John Gray Gymnasium, Georgetown, Cayman Islands
LSU vs Illinois State Key Stats
The Redbirds just suffered a home loss to Northwestern State on Thursday night with a score of 70–67. With 20 points, including 2-of-4 from long range, Darius Burford took the lead.
The Redbirds' season point differential is only +.3 going into this contest. Their biggest single-game deficit was only 14 points.
LSU have so far shot 43% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. Over the course of four games, they have a +6 rebounding differential but a -6 turnover difference due to their frequent turnovers (16 per game). They are limiting their opponents' shooting overall to 41% and their shooting from 3-point range to 33%.
With a perfect record to begin the season under new head coach Matt McMahon, the Tigers are off to a tremendous start. They thrashed New Orleans 91-62 in their most recent meeting.
The Tigers' defense came alive and held the New Orleans offense in check while going on runs of 18-3 and 14-0 to complete the first half with a 47-25 advantage after briefly trailing to begin the game.
They have played all three of their games at home so far, and this year they have a 16.3-point difference. The squad is shooting 41% from three-point range and 45% from the field overall.
With regards to rebounds, the team have a +4.3 advantage. The Tigers have a +4 turnover advantage and force 14 turnovers per game.
LSU vs Illinois State Betting Prediction
Illinois State have struggled to shoot three-pointers and have been careless with the basketball. LSU can force turnovers and make accurate three-point shots.
LSU's defense has also been impenetrable so far, keeping opponents from shooting better than 40% overall and getting 3-point shooters to the point where they can only make 24% of their attempts.
With a convincing victory on the first morning of the competition, the Tigers' development will continue in this one.
Pick: Tigers -15 (-110)
$1,000 No Sweat First Bet with FanDuel Sportsbook