Illinois State 2009-2010 Basketball Betting Prediction, Odds, Lines,

With the College Basketball 2009-2010 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009-2010 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2009 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Illinois State 2008-2009 Record: 24-10, 11-7

Illinois State 2008-2009 Post Season: NIT

Illinois State Coach: im Jankovich (49-20 at Illinois State, 102-77 overall)

Illinois State Projected Starters:

• Lloyd Phillips, Senior, Guard, 10.6 points per game
• Osiris Eldridge, Senior, Guard, 14.0 points per game
• Bobby Hill, Junior, Forward, DNP last season
• Tony Lewis, Junior, Forward, DNP last season
• Dinma Odiakosa, Senior, Forward, 8.7 points per game

Illinois State Player to Watch: Osiris Eldridge

Illinois State Key Losses: G Emmanuel Holloway, G Champ Oguchi, F Brandon Sampay

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2009-2010 Illinois State Season Preview

Osiris Eldridge’s flirtation with the NBA hardly caused widespread panic around Illinois State.

From all indications, Eldridge just wanted to test the water after his junior season. He declared for the draft but didn’t hire an agent and announced in late June that he would return to Normal for his senior season.

Eldridge is arguably the Valley’s best talent, a two-time all-conference selection who has the ability to hurt opponents from beyond the 3-point line or with highlight-reel dunks. His scoring average fell last season from 15.8 to 14.0 points a game, and he battled inconsistent shooting throughout the season and finished with a .404 field-goal percentage.

But anyone who caught Eldridge’s second-half performance in the Valley Tournament championship game saw just how dangerous he can be. He scored 19 of his 21 points after halftime in a game that Illinois State lost 60-57 in overtime.

The Redbirds made the tournament championship game for the second straight season only to fall a win short of advancing to NCAA play. Drake routed Illinois State in 2008, while Northern Iowa pulled out the overtime win in 2009.

Eldridge figures prominently in the Redbirds’ hopes of ending an NCAA drought that stretches back to 1998. Two other starters – vastly improved big man Dinma Odiakosa and point guard Lloyd Phillips – also are back.

The Redbirds will need step-up performances from a number of players but could get a bonus if forward Bobby Hill can return from two knee surgeries. Hill played as a freshman in the 2006-07 season before transferring to a junior college to improve his academic status. He was being counted on to contribute last season but tore his ACL and then tore a tendon in February.

Athletic and tough, the 6-6 Hill is ready to the start the 2009-2010 season.

2009-2010 Illinois State Predictions

Illinois State Finish in the Missouri Valley: 4th
Illinois State Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

Illinois State Betting Odds

Illinois State Odds to Win 2010 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +5000

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Illinois State Basketball Handicapping Picks

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