The Toledo Rockets (10-5) and the Mid-American’s fourth-ranked offense welcome the Northern Illinois Huskies (13-2) and the top-ranked defense in the conference. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Jan. 12 and can be seen on ES3.
The Rockets enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Miami (OH) 84-76 on Saturday. Nathan Boothe was a key piece, recording his sixth double-double of the season with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The Huskies, meanwhile, are coming off an 80-63 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday. Marin Maric claimed his sixth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Maric and Travon Baker have upped their production over the last five games for the Huskies. Maric has averaged 16.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block, and 1.0 three-pointer during that stretch, while Baker has put up 17.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 3.4 three-pointers.
This showdown pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Toledo currently ranks 34th in offensive efficiency and Northern Illinois is seventh in defensive efficiency.
Notes
Ranked seventh, the Northern Illinois Huskies have one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 89.2 points per 100 possessions. The Toledo Rockets rank 34th in offense, scoring 115.2 points in the same number of possessions.
On average, Toledo has 70.7 possessions per game and scores 1.152 points on each possession. Northern Illinois has both fewer possessions (69.1) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.120).
The Toledo Rockets average an effective field goal percentage of 54.4% this season. The Northern Illinois Huskies have split their games this season (1-1) when opponents have an eFG% of 54.4% or greater.
On average, Toledo attempts 23.0 three pointers and Northern Illinois attempts 20.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Toledo Rockets are 7-5 while the Northern Illinois Huskies have a fantastic 8-1 record.
The eighth-ranked team in the category, Toledo has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.72 this season. Northern Illinois ranks 53rd with an A/TO of 1.30.
Toledo ranks 243rd in offensive rebounds, while Northern Illinois ranks 39th in defensive rebounds.
The Toledo Rockets make an average of 4.7 steals per game. When the Northern Illinois Huskies allow 4 or more steals, they are an outstanding 10-2.
