Illinois State is coming into this game with a 21-14 record this season and they were 10-10 in their conference. They have been playing very well in their recent games as they have won 4 of their last 5 as well as 6 of their last 8 games. They beat Presbyterian 78-70 in the 1st round of this tournament and beat Incarnate Word 78-73 in their last game, but they were actually trailing Incarnate Word for most of that game and only came back to win in the last 2 minutes. Their defense has not been that great in their last few games either, allowing 70+ points in their last 3 straight as well as 4 of their last 6 games. They have also had a much weaker path in this tournament as the 2 teams they have beaten so far both played in much weaker conferences and they were both under .500 in those conferences as well. They are going up against a Cleveland State team that is 23-12 this season and they were 14-6 in their conference. They ended up losing to Youngstown State by 2 points in the Horizon League Tournament, but they were the 2nd best team in their conference all season and they have been playing much better in recent games. They have won their last 2 straight as well as 4 of their last 5 games and they have had to play some tougher competition in this tournament. They beat Queens NC 88-73 in the 1st round and are coming off of a 72-65 win against Florida Gulf Coast in their last game. Their defense has also been much better recently as they have allowed 65 points or less in 4 of their last 5 games, and that is going to be key to them winning this game. Illinois State has been the much better team from 3 this season, but Cleveland State has been more consistent from the field and they have been shooting well in this tournament. Cleveland State has also been much better on the defensive end recently which will be the difference in this game. Cleveland State will cover the spread in this game.