The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (5-8) look to end their five-game losing streak when they meet the Northeastern Huskies (10-5) at Matthews Arena. Action starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The Huskies come into this game on a high note after just getting past UNC Wilmington 65-63 in their last game. With 18 points and 14 rebounds, Quincy Ford recorded his fourth double-double this season. The Fightin’ Blue Hens, meanwhile, are coming off a 73-63 loss at the hands of James Madison in their last game. Delaware lost despite the best efforts of Anthony Mosley, who recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Ford has taken his game to another level for the Huskies. During that stretch, he has averaged 19.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 3.0 three-pointers.
Northeastern is a heavy 11-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 140 points. The Huskies are attempting to build on their records of 10-5 Straight Up (SU) and 7-5 Against The Spread (ATS). Northeastern is excellent from the perimeter with 130 three-pointers made (8.0 per game), the 44th-most in the country.
Over on the other bench, the Fightin’ Blue Hens head into the game with records of 3-7-1 ATS and 4-9 SU.
These conference rivals will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Northeastern came out on top, but the win was not enough to overtake Delaware in their recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 4-6 SU over the last few meetings. With an 8-2 record, the Fightin’ Blue Hens also have the advantage ATS. Over the last five matchups, Delaware held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice. Northeastern performed this feat once.
Predictions: SU Winner – NE, ATS Winner – NE, O/U – Over
Notes
Northeastern is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games.
Northeastern is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home.
Northeastern is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Delaware.
Northeastern is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Delaware.
Northeastern is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Delaware.
Northeastern is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Delaware.
The Northeastern Huskies average 68.8 possessions and 1.087 points per possession in games this season. The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens average fewer possessions with 67.0, as well as fewer points per possession with .998.
Delaware has an average effective field goal percentage of 44.6%. Northeastern is a solid 8-5 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Delaware, the 65th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 39.5 rebounds per game. Northeastern does worse, ranked 214th with 36.3.
The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens rank 97th in offensive rebounds. The Northeastern Huskies rank 201st in the nation in defensive rebounds.
On average, Delaware forces a turnover rate of 14.9%. When Northeastern turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 8-4 record.
