It figures to be a low-scoring affair as the Ball State Cardinals (19-11) visit Northern Illinois to take on the Huskies (19-11). The game begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Mar. 4 and can be seen on CCS.
The Huskies are hoping for a better outcome after their 75-71 loss to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday. Marshawn Wilson was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 65-57 loss to Central Michigan on Tuesday. Franko House had a game-high 23 points.
House has upped his play for the Cardinals, averaging 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steal over the past five games.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Cardinals winning the first matchup 63-59. Despite the loss, Travon Baker had a standout performance with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four three-pointers.
The Huskies are looking to build on their records of 19-11 Straight Up (SU) and 15-10 Against The Spread (ATS). Northern Illinois has an edge in the rebounding department for this game, where it racks up an average of 39.5 rebounds per game. Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Northern Illinois’s stingy defense. The Huskies are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 63.6 points per home game. Teams have to fight for open shots against the Huskies, who have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the country at .398.
Across the court, Ball State has a SU record of 19-11 and an ATS record of 11-13. Ball State is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation, converting 8.0 shots from three-point range per game. The Cardinals are one of the top defensive teams in the nation, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 66.2 points allowed per game. The Cardinals have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the nation at .403.
In their previous meeting this season, Ball State beat Northern Illinois, bringing its SU record in their most recent games to 6-4. On the other hand, Northern Illinois holds the advantage ATS with a record of 8-2. Ball State has led in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups. Northern Illinois has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – NIU, ATS Winner – NIU
Notes
Northern Illinois scores an average of just 73.4 points per game (ranked 137th). Ball State ranks 40th in points allowed, giving up 66.2 points per game.
Northern Illinois scores just 78.8 points per home game (ranked 103rd). Ball State ranks 63rd in points allowed on the road, giving up 70.8 points.
The Ball State Cardinals have a defensive rating of 99.3 (ranked 61st), while the Northern Illinois Huskies have an offensive rating of 106.1 (ranked 173rd).
The Northern Illinois Huskies average 69.2 possessions and 1.061 points per possession in games this season. The Ball State Cardinals average fewer possessions with 67.2, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.059.
Northern Illinois has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.0%. Ball State is an abysmal 2-8 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Northern Illinois Huskies average 19.0 three point attempts per game, and the Ball State Cardinals attempt 22.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Northern Illinois is 11-4 and Ball State is 13-8.
Northern Illinois, the 43rd-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 39.5 rebounds per game. Ball State does worse, ranked 183rd with 36.0.
Ball State ranks 295th in offensive rebounds, while Northern Illinois ranks at 57th in defensive rebounds.
Northern Illinois averages a forced turnover rate of 20.8% this season. Ball State has a 6-4 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
