The Akron Zips (20-4) and the Mid-American’s seventh-ranked offense head to Northern Illinois to take on the Huskies (16-8) and the top-ranked defense in the conference. Action begins at 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and can be seen on ES3.
The Huskies are hoping to rebound after their 75-74 loss to Kent State on Tuesday. Aaric Armstead was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. The Zips, meanwhile, are coming off an 83-68 win against Bowling Green on Tuesday. Antino Jackson led the team in scoring by accounting for 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Zips winning the first matchup 76-66. Kwan Cheatham Jr. had a stellar game with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and four three-pointers.
The Huskies have gone 16-8 Straight Up (SU) and 11-8 Against The Spread (ATS). Northern Illinois’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Huskies allow a .395 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
Over on the other bench, the Zips have records of 11-7-1 ATS and 20-4 SU. Offensively, the Zips have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 77.5 points per game after averaging only 69.9 during that stretch. The Zips rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, ranking fourth in the nation with 276 made (11.0 per game). The Zips are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 46th in Division I at 1.33. Moving on to the Akron defense, the Zips allow very few three-pointers on defense with 5.0 given up per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Akron beat Northern Illinois, bumping its SU record over their most recent meetings to 6-4. On the other hand, Northern Illinois holds the advantage ATS with a record of 5-4-1. Akron held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice, while Northern Illinois was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron
Notes
“Northern Illinois is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Northern Illinois is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games “.
“Northern Illinois is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Northern Illinois’s last 5 games “.
“Northern Illinois is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Northern Illinois is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“Northern Illinois is 6-12-2 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Akron”.
“Northern Illinois is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Akron”.
“Northern Illinois is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Akron”.
“Northern Illinois is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Akron”.
Northern Illinois averages 74.2 points per game, placing the team just 128th in the nation. Akron ranks 63rd in points allowed, giving up 67.2 points per game.
Northern Illinois averages 79.4 points per home game (ranked 98th). Akron allows 72.5 points per away game (ranked 97th).
The Akron Zips have a defensive rating of 97.4 (ranked 50th), while the Northern Illinois Huskies have an offensive rating of 106.6 (ranked 159th).
The Northern Illinois Huskies average 69.6 possessions per game and 1.066 points per possession, while the Akron Zips earn fewer possessions (68.8) but more points per possession (1.126).
The Northern Illinois Huskies average an effective field goal percentage of 49.3% this season. The Akron Zips have a stellar 7-2 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 49.3% or greater.
Northern Illinois ranks 96th in assists, recording 14.8 per game. Akron ranks 81st with 15.1 assists per game.
Akron, the 96th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 4.1 per game. Northern Illinois does worse, ranked 164th with 3.5.
Northern Illinois ranks 69th in offensive rebounding. When it comes to defensive rebounds, Akron ranks 60th.
The Northern Illinois Huskies make an average of 7.3 steals per game. When the Akron Zips allow 7 or more steals, they are a solid 8-3.
