- Matchup: Valparaiso Beacons vs Indiana State Sycamores
- Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
- Venue: Hulman Center, Terre Haute, IN
- Broadcast: ESPN+
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On Saturday, the Indiana State Sycamores (9-13) will host the Valparaiso Beacons (10-11) at the Hulman Center.
The Valparaiso Beacons recently faced Belmont and experienced a narrow defeat, finishing 78-77. In that game, Valparaiso incurred 20 personal fouls compared to Belmont’s 22. The Beacons made 11 of 24 attempts from long range but allowed Belmont to convert at a 65.0% clip from the free-throw line, with 13 successful buckets out of 20 attempts. Belmont secured 27 rebounds (5 offensive, 22 defensive) and provided 18 assists while recording 3 steals. Defensively, Valparaiso permitted Belmont to shoot 54.0% from the floor on 27 out of 50 attempts. The Beacons recorded 11 assists, forced 14 turnovers, and achieved 8 steals. In terms of rebounding, they amassed 26 boards, 8 of which were offensive. At the free-throw line, Valparaiso converted 16 of 21 attempts for a shooting percentage of 76.2%, finishing the game with a field-goal percentage of 42.6% (26 of 61) and 9 successful three-pointers out of 27 attempts.
Owen Dease was a standout performer in the previous game, scoring 15 points on 6 of 15 shooting in 35 minutes of play, along with 4 rebounds, although he did not register any assists.
This matchup marks Valparaiso’s season record of 10-11. The Beacons average 10.7 turnovers and 18.4 personal fouls per game. Collectively, they secure 36.6 rebounds per game and have recorded 242 assists thus far, placing them at 330th nationally in assists per game. From beyond the arc, Valparaiso is shooting 32.3% (149 of 461) and 72.1% from the free-throw line. They average 71.1 points per contest, ranking 305th in Division 1, while shooting 41.1% from the field.
On the defensive end, the Beacons force 11.9 turnovers per game while drawing 19.5 personal fouls. They limit opponents to a 31.4% success rate from three-point range and rank 91st in allowing 70.1 points per game. Valparaiso’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 43.3% from the field (510 of 1,179) while conceding an average of 36.2 rebounds per game. They rank 68th in college basketball for fewest assists allowed, giving up 246 this season.
Indiana State faced a close loss against UIC, finishing 76-74 in their latest game. They allowed UIC to secure 25 total rebounds, including 12 offensive boards. The Sycamores recorded 41.2% shooting from beyond the arc by hitting 7 of 17 attempts, and from the free-throw line, they converted 15 of 20 (75.0%). UIC managed to score on 27 of 59 field goal attempts for a shooting percentage of 45.8%. Indiana State fared better with a 52.6% shooting percentage, hitting 30 of 57 attempts, while also sinking 10 of 27 three-pointers (37.0%). They shot 50.0% from the charity stripe, going 4 for 8. UIC turned the ball over 20 times, while Indiana State recorded 5 steals, earning 20 defensive rebounds and 13 on the offensive glass for a total of 33 rebounds.
Sterling Young played a pivotal role for the Sycamores during the game, making 4 of 8 attempts with a field-goal percentage of 50.0%. He scored 14 points, gathered 1 rebound, and contributed 6 assists in his 29 minutes on the court.
With a season record of 9-13, Indiana State averages 15.8 personal fouls per game and shoots 69.3% from the free-throw line. They provide 17.7 assists per game (26th in D-1) while giving up the ball through 13.7 turnovers each outing. For the season, the Sycamores have scored 1,660 points, averaging 75.5 points per game, with an average of 35.8 rebounds per contest. They boast a shooting percentage of 46.4% from the floor, ranking 120th in D-1.
On defense, Indiana State limits opponents to 32.3% from beyond the arc (156 of 483) and allows 69.8% from the free-throw line. They yield an average of 11.9 assists and 36.3 rebounds per game, ranking 69th and 282nd respectively in D-1. The Sycamores rank 221st in terms of points allowed per game at 75.2, forcing opponents into 11.0 turnovers per game while allowing 44.3% shooting from the field (209th nationally).
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Support Indiana State
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