Don’t expect a high-scoring game when the Northern Iowa Panthers (15-11) head to Wichita State to play the No. 25-ranked Shockers (18-6). The game gets underway at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Shockers enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling Drake 74-48 on Tuesday. Ron Baker played a key role with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The Panthers are coming off an 83-69 win over Missouri State on Wednesday. Jeremy Morgan led the game in scoring with 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. Wichita State ranks 317th in possessions per game (66.0), while Northern Iowa is 345th (64.1). Also, the sweet-shooting offense of the Panthers ranks 24th in eFG% at 54.9%, while the Shockers are 22nd-best in the nation at forcing opponents’ misses (44.9%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Shockers won the first game 74-55. Baker had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three three-pointers.
The Shockers look to build on their records of 18-6 Straight Up (SU) and 14-8 Against The Spread (ATS). The Shockers will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In the last 10 games, Wichita State has only averaged 65.7 points per game compared to the 73.8 they’ve averaged on the season. Wichita State is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.37. Transitioning to the Wichita State defense, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Shockers, who allow only 60.7 points per game.
In the other locker room, the Panthers have 15-11 SU and 13-12 ATS records. Northern Iowa has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 9-1. Offensively, the Panthers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 70.3 points per game by averaging 76.6 during that stretch. The Panthers convert their three-pointers at a high percentage, ranking 27th in the nation at .389. The Panthers are one of the top defensive teams in the nation, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 65.5 points allowed per game.
Wichita State beat Northern Iowa in their most recent meeting this season, bringing its SU record to 8-2 over Northern Iowa in their most recent games. Furthermore, Wichita State leads the matchup ATS with a record of 8-2. Wichita State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice in the last five games, while Northern Iowa wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Wich, ATS Winner – Wich
Notes
“Wichita State is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games “.
“Wichita State is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games “.
“Wichita State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home”.
“Wichita State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Wichita State’s last 9 games at home”.
“Wichita State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Northern Iowa”.
“Wichita State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Northern Iowa”.
“The total has gone OVER in 8 of Wichita State’s last 12 games when playing Northern Iowa”.
“Wichita State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Northern Iowa”.
“Wichita State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Northern Iowa”.
Wichita State averages 73.8 points per game, placing the team just 135th in the nation. Northern Iowa ranks 35th in points allowed, giving up 65.5 points per game.
Wichita State scores just 73.4 points per home game (ranked 182nd). Northern Iowa ranks 37th in points allowed on the road, giving up 68.4 points.
In its last game, Wichita State won by a margin of 26 points. Northern Iowa is 6-2 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Wichita State has a 12-1 record in blowouts.
Ranked seventh, the Wichita State Shockers have one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 91.7 points per 100 possessions. The Northern Iowa Panthers rank 88th in offense, scoring 109.8 points in the same number of possessions.
Northern Iowa has an average field goal percentage of 46.6%. Wichita State is an even 1-1 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Wichita State Shockers and the Northern Iowa Panthers both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Wichita State is 206th and 168th in the nation for FG% and eFG% respectively, while Northern Iowa is 59th and 24th in these categories.
Wichita State ranks 37th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.37, while Northern Iowa ranks 53rd with an A/TO of 1.30.
Wichita State is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TO% of 24.2% (ranked fourth). Northern Iowa is an even 1-1 SU when it has a TO% of 24.2% or greater.
