The Bowling Green Falcons (13-12) will try to put an end to their five-game skid when they compete against the Northern Illinois Huskies (17-8) at Convocation Center. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and will air on ES3.
The Huskies edged Akron 80-79 on Saturday. Aaric Armstead was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Falcons are coming off a 74-68 loss at the hands of Western Michigan on Saturday. Spencer Parker had a team-high 16 points.
The Huskies are attempting to build on their records of 17-8 Straight Up (SU) and 12-8 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS. Northern Illinois has an edge in the rebounding department for this game, where it racks up an average of 39.9 rebounds per game. The Northern Illinois defense has been struggling to keep points off the board during its most recent matchups. The Huskies have given up an average of 73.6 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 67.0 PPG. Northern Illinois’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Huskies allow a .399 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
As for their opponent, the Falcons have 13-12 SU and 9-12 ATS records.
Northern Illinois and Bowling Green meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Bowling Green won the last game in the matchup, moving its SU record against Northern Illinois to 8-2 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. Additionally, with a 6-2-2 record, Bowling Green has the advantage ATS. Both Northern Illinois and Bowling Green have led in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups.
Predictions: SU Winner – NIU, ATS Winner – NIU
Notes
Bowling Green scores an average of just 71.6 points per game (ranked 166th). Northern Illinois ranks 58th in points allowed, giving up 67.0 points per game.
Bowling Green averages 72.6 points per away game (ranked 95th). Northern Illinois allows 63.7 points per home game (ranked 47th).
The Northern Illinois Huskies average 69.6 possessions and 1.069 points per possession in games this season. The Bowling Green Falcons average fewer possessions with 69.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.033.
The Northern Illinois Huskies average an effective field goal percentage of 49.3% this season. The Bowling Green Falcons have an abysmal record of 3-10 when opponents have an eFG% of 49.3% or greater.
Northern Illinois ranks 95th in assists, registering 14.8 per game. Bowling Green performs worse at 275th with 11.9 assists per game.
Northern Illinois ranks 59th in offensive rebounding. When it comes to defensive rebounds, Bowling Green ranks 71st.
On average, Northern Illinois makes 7.4 steals per game. Bowling Green is a poor 3-5 when it gives up at least 7 steals.
