The Valparaiso Beacons take on the Western Michigan Broncos in Kalamazoo, MI. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Western Michigan is favored by 2 point on the spread with a moneyline of -130. The total is set at 152.5 points.
Here’s my Valparaiso vs. Western Michigan predictions and college basketball picks for December 20, 2024.
Valparaiso vs Western Michigan Prediction
My Pick: Western Michigan ML -110 (Play to -2.5)
My Valparaiso vs Western Michigan best bet is on the Broncos moneyline, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Valparaiso vs Western Michigan Odds, Spread
Friday, Dec. 20
1 p.m. ET
ESPN+
Valparaiso OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline+2
-110
152.5
-110o / -110u
+110
Western Michigan OddsSpreadTotalMoneyline-2
-110
152.5
-110o / -110u
-130
- Valparaiso vs Western Michigan spread: Western Michigan -2
- Valparaiso vs Western Michigan over/under: 152.5 points
- Valparaiso vs Western Michigan moneyline: Western Michigan -130, Valparaiso +110
- Valparaiso vs Western Michigan best bet: Western Michigan ML -110 (Play to -2.5)
My Valparaiso vs Western Michigan NCAABBetting Preview
Valparaiso has played some difficult competition since the end of November, facing DePaul and Ohio State on the road while playing Drake tight at home.
But this is a bad spot for the Beacons and a nice spot for bettors planning to back the Broncos of Western Michigan.
Valpo is in the midst of a stretch featuring four games in nine days and it plays its second straight true road game by traveling to Kalamazoo.
Meanwhile, Western Michigan is due for a bounce back after dropping three straight. The Broncos have had four days of rest to prepare for the Beacons, and this is their first home game in almost a month.
Most importantly, Chansey Willis Jr., who was named the MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Year at Henry Ford College last season, has joined the lineup the last two games and is dropping a team-leading 17.5 points per outing.
That hasn’t resulted in any positives in the W/L column, but the Broncos have now had a couple of games to adjust to their new roles. Returning to the friendly confines of University Arena should help, as well.
These two schools are less than two hours apart and the Beacons have won three straight in the series. However, Western Michigan has an edge on the offensive glass in this game (67th in the country in that category), and I think it flexes its muscles in the paint to help snap that streak.
